33 ECOWAS Nationals Rescued From Human Trafficking Ring In Ivory Coast
Some 33 West African nationals have been rescued by Interpol in Ivory Coast from a human trafficking ring.
The victims include Ghanaians, Beninese, Burkinabe and Togolese, DW Africa reports.
The news agency reported that the victims were coerced into paying fees and providing coerced labour after being promised jobs in Canada, paying up to $9,000 to recruiters.
They were, however, trafficked to Abidjan, where they were held under physical and psychological coercion, DW Africa said.
In Abidjan, they were forced to take photos of themselves in upscale restaurants and hotels and post them online, feigning residence in Canada.
According to DW Africa, the scam first came to light when the father of two victims reported to Ghanaian authorities.
The initial raids were conducted in February in a joint operation between Ivory Coast and Ghana.
Meanwhile, two suspected traffickers have been arrested.
Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini
