Ghanaian police have rescued a 15-year-old Nigerian girl who was trafficked from Enugu under the guise of a job offer, only to be forced into prostitution upon arrival in Ghana.

Authorities confirmed the arrest of one suspect linked to the case, while the main perpetrator remains at large.

According to a statement issued by Beatrice Turkson, Head of the Public Affairs Unit of the Western Central Regional Police, the rescue operation was initiated after the victim’s father reported her missing in Nigeria. Investigations led to the arrest of Joy Ogbonna, who allegedly confined the girl in a room, coerced her into sex work, and profited from the exploitation.

Medical examinations revealed that the girl was five weeks pregnant at the time of her rescue.

The statement detailed that on November 3, 2025, Joy Ogbonna, aged 25, was apprehended in Aboso near Tarkwa. The victim’s father, Ogbonna Onuigbo, had earlier reported her disappearance in October. On October 24, the girl managed to contact him, disclosing that she had been trafficked and abused in Ghana.

Further investigations revealed that a woman named Golden Blessing, currently on the run, deceived the victim with a false job offer in Lagos and later handed her over to Ogbonna, who transported her to Tarkwa. There, she was confined and forced into prostitution. A passer-by reportedly helped the victim reach out to her father, which led to her rescue.

Police efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend Golden Blessing, believed to be in Nigeria. Authorities emphasized their commitment to combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.

Joy Ogbonna remains in custody and is expected to face trial soon.

This incident adds to a growing list of cross-border trafficking cases involving Nigerian nationals. In August, the Enugu State Police Command arrested a 30-year-old man, Raymond Wonna, for alleged involvement in international human trafficking. Two victims, aged 18 and 16, were rescued during the operation.

In a separate case, the Lagos State Police Command dismantled a trans-border child trafficking network, rescuing eleven victims and arresting four suspects accused of recruiting and transporting young Nigerians to Ghana for prostitution.