The Western Region of Ghana was the scene of a dramatic rescue operation involving 25 individuals, including six women, who were discovered held captive in a suspected kidnapping hideout in New Site, Housing, near Effiakuma. The victims, believed to be primarily from Côte d’Ivoire, were found in a distressed and malnourished state within an eight-bedroom apartment close to Takoradi Technical University. Their ordeal came to light thanks to the bravery and resourcefulness of one male captive who managed to escape and alert the local community.
The escape, which occurred on Sunday, June 1, 2025, initiated a chain of events that ultimately led to the victims’ liberation. The escapee, disoriented and unable to communicate in any language other than French, found his way to the Effiakuma Zongo area. His inability to communicate his plight initially presented a significant obstacle. Fortunately, a resident named Abdul Ganiyu recognized the language as Dyula, a language spoken across several West African countries including Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Mali. This crucial identification proved to be the turning point in the unfolding drama.
With Ganiyu acting as interpreter, the escapee recounted how he and his wife had been lured into what they believed was a legitimate recruitment opportunity, only to find themselves trapped. Armed with this crucial information, Ganiyu wasted no time in contacting Hamza Mohammed Ameen Adam, the Assembly Member for Effiakuma Zongo. Together, they rallied concerned residents and initiated a search based on the escapee’s description of the location. Their search led them to the locked apartment, which they forcibly entered, uncovering the disturbing scene within.
The conditions inside the apartment painted a stark picture of the victims’ ordeal. The 25 individuals were found standing in almost bare rooms, deprived of even basic amenities. The only items present were their personal belongings, along with talismans and other objects associated with voodoo practices. The victims’ disorientation was profound; none could recall how long they had been held captive. Adding to the mystery, neighbors claimed to have been completely unaware of any occupants in the apartment, raising questions about how such a large group could remain unnoticed for an extended period.
Following the rescue, police swiftly launched an investigation. Interrogations, facilitated by the initial escapee who helped identify key individuals, led to the immediate arrest of five suspects – four men and one woman – believed to be involved in the operation. These individuals were separated from the rescued victims and placed in custody. The owner of the apartment, however, remains unidentified, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
In the aftermath of the rescue, immediate attention was focused on providing care and support to the traumatized victims. Assembly Member Hamza Mohammed Ameen Adam played a crucial role in coordinating these efforts, arranging for food and other essential supplies, particularly for those too weak to move independently. The gravity of their ordeal was underscored by the desperate plea of one victim to contact his mother back in Côte d’Ivoire, a poignant reminder of the human cost of this criminal operation. Authorities are now working diligently to verify the identities of all those rescued and to facilitate communication with their families. The police investigation continues, aiming to unravel the full scope of this complex and disturbing case, including the motives behind the kidnappings and the network involved in perpetrating this crime.
