The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has arrested eight individuals in connection with the recent kidnapping of two Ghanaian women, Anastasia Baidoo and Evelyn Serwaa Konadu
The victims were seen in a disturbing viral video that sparked public outrage and swift action by law enforcement.
In the footage, one of the women was shown nude and assaulted with a machete—prompting immediate intervention by the security agencies.
The initial arrests were made on May 1, 2025, by Upper East Regional Police Intelligence officers. Four suspects—Christian Emeka, 27, and Basil Okonkwo, 29 (both Nigerians), along with Titus Mba Awuni, 25, and Amalbeo Alfred, 21 (both Ghanaians from Bolgatanga) were apprehended.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Marmah Mahasseh Nii Martie, 31, in Teshie by the Police Intelligence Department in Accra.
Three additional suspects, Peter Okoye, 31, Paulinus Chidokwe, 35, and Chinonso Okafor, 35—were captured in Port Harcourt and Onitsha, Nigeria The two victims were rescued during this operation.
Addressing the media in Accra, Director-General of CID, DCOP Lydia Yaako Donkor, confirmed the arrests and rescue. She credited the joint operation between the Ghana Police Service, the National Signals Bureau (NSB), and the Nigeria Police Force.
“We are grateful to the NSB and the Nigeria Police Force for the collaboration in rescuing these women,” she said. “The suspects demanded a ransom of GH₵500,000 from each victim’s family. A total of GH₵18,000 was paid to various phone numbers provided by the suspects
Currently, both victims are with Nigerian authorities and have undergone medical checks. Efforts are underway to repatriate them to Ghana and extradite the suspects.”
DCOP Lydia Yaako, in a separate case, announced the rescue of three Chinese crew members who were kidnapped during a pirate attack on the Ghanaian fishing vessel Mengxin 1 near Nyanyano in April.
Reports revealed that seven armed men boarded the ship, fired warning shots, and abducted the three Chinese nationals. They were later found abandoned at a remote location in Nigeria.
Four suspects connected to the abduction were arrested following coordinated efforts by the Ghana Police and other relevant agencies.
DCOP Donkor emphasized the importance of inter-agency and cross-border collaboration in tackling transnational crimes.
“The success achieved in these cases underscores the critical need for enhanced cooperation between security agencies both locally and internationally,” she stated.
Story by Osman Issah Abadoo
