By Kingsley Mamore
Dormabin (O/R), July 27, GNA – An 18-year-old Nigerian woman, who allegedly travelled to Ghana after being deceived by a Gruma man identified only as Kwabena, has been rescued through the intervention of a Ghana News Agency (GNA) reporter, with the Ghana Police Service launching investigations into the case.
The incident came to light on Saturday evening when the GNA correspondent in Krachi East received a telephone call at about 2000 hours from Mr Yaw Sunkwa, a resident of Dormabin, a farming community in the Krachi East Municipality.
Mr Sunkwa reported that a man from Abotanso had arrived at his residence with the young Nigerian woman, who alleged that she had been subjected to physical abuse and neglect by Kwabena, who had brought her from Nigeria to Afada-Kope.
Given the late hour, temporary shelter and care were provided for the teenager while arrangements were made to engage the appropriate authorities the following morning.
On Sunday, the GNA correspondent, accompanied by a reporter from Oti Radio, travelled to Abotanso and subsequently escorted the victim to Dormabin, where a Yoruba-speaking resident assisted in interpreting her account.
Speaking through the interpreter, the victim, who identified herself as Ms Elizabeth, alleged that both her parents and those of the suspect reside in Nigeria.
She said the suspect persuaded her to accompany him to Ghana on the assurance that they would stay with his aunt for only two months before returning to Nigeria.
According to her, the agreed period elapsed, but the suspect failed to fulfil his promise of taking her back home.
Ms Elizabeth further alleged that the suspect forced her into sexual relations, after which she realised she had missed her menstrual period.
She said she was later taken to a health facility in Dambai, where a pregnancy test confirmed that she was pregnant.
The victim further alleged that the suspect subsequently began a relationship with another Gruma woman in the community and subjected her to repeated physical abuse while denying her food and other basic necessities.
She appealed to the authorities to assist her in returning to Nigeria and called for the arrest of the suspect to ensure justice.
Following her account, the GNA and Oti Radio journalists escorted her to the Tokuroano Police Station, where a formal complaint was lodged.
Police immediately constituted a team, accompanied by the journalists, to Afada-Kope, the remote settlement where the victim alleged she had been living.
Although the suspect was not found, police arrested two of his relatives, Madam Musah Akosoa and Mr Salifu Dapaah, and took them to the Tokuroano Police Station to assist with investigations while efforts continue to trace the suspect.
Police Inspector Paul Amaglo of the Tokuroano Police Station said the victim would remain under police protection while investigations continue.
He said every effort would be made to locate the suspect and establish the full circumstances surrounding the allegations.
The Police assured the public that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate legal action would be taken if the allegations are substantiated.
The case highlights growing concerns over alleged cross-border deception and the exploitation of vulnerable young women. It also underscores the importance of timely reporting and collaboration among the media, security agencies, and local communities in protecting victims of abuse and facilitating access to justice.
GNA
Edited by Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu