Kidnapped Victims in Viral Video Rescued: Full Details of the Joint Ghana-Nigeria Operation
ACCRA, Ghana / ABUJA, Nigeria – May 2, 2025
A coordinated cross-border operation led by the Ghana Police Service, National Signals Bureau (NSB), and Nigeria Police Force has successfully rescued two women whose abduction and brutal assault were captured in a viral video that sparked nationwide outrage. The victims, including Ama Serwaa Konadu (39), were abducted in separate incidents, with their captors demanding ransoms and circulating graphic footage of their ordeal.
Key Details of the Abduction and Rescue
- Victim Identification:
- Ama Serwaa Konadu: A popular hairdresser and event decorator from Asiakwa in the Abuakwa South Municipality (Eastern Region, Ghana), abducted on April 22, 2025, while leaving home for work.
- Second Victim: Identified only as Evelyn Serwaa in some reports; details of her abduction remain undisclosed.
- Viral Video:
- Footage showed Konadu assaulted with a machete while nude, sent to her family via her own phone.
- Captors demanded a GH₵500,000 ransom (~$40,000 USD) and threatened further harm if unpaid.
Rescue Operation
- Joint Efforts:
- Ghanaian and Nigerian authorities pooled intelligence to track the victims to hideouts in Nigeria.
- Eight suspects were arrested across both countries, with raids conducted in coordinated strikes.
- Timeline:
- April 22: Konadu kidnapped; family reported the case immediately.
- April 23: Captors sent assault videos to her family.
- April 29: Ghana Police announced an investigation after the video went viral.
- May 2: Victims rescued, suspects arrested.
Suspects and Criminal Network
- Transnational Ring:
- Suspects operated across Ghana and Nigeria, using cross-border routes to evade detection.
- Hideouts included locations in southern Nigeria, where victims were held.
- Ongoing Investigations:
- Authorities are probing links to other kidnappings and potential accomplices.
- “More arrests are expected as we unravel the network,” a police source stated.
Victim Support and Public Reaction
- Medical Care:
- Both women are receiving trauma counseling and medical evaluations.
- Konadu’s family expressed relief but requested privacy during her recovery.
- Public Outrage:
- The video triggered demands for stricter anti-kidnapping laws and improved security.
- Ghana’s police commended Nigerian counterparts for their “immense support”.
Broader Implications
- Cross-Border Security:
- The operation highlights growing Ghana-Nigeria collaboration against organized crime.
- Policy Reforms:
- Calls for regional intelligence-sharing frameworks and harsher penalties for kidnappers
