The Central North Regional Police Command has arrested 39 people at Nipanekro near Subin in the Upper Denkyira West District of the Central Region for alleged involvement in prostitution and related offences.

According to the police, 33 of those arrested are Nigerian nationals, all women, suspected of being exploited in sex work.

The remaining six are men who were arrested during the same operation for allegedly engaging in drug-related activities.

Addressing the media, Central North Regional Police Commander ACP Abraham Acquaye said the women will be treated as victims of human trafficking rather than criminals.

He explained that they would be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for repatriation to their home country.

Some of the women shared disturbing accounts of abuse. They alleged that they were brought into Ghana under the control of a woman identified only as “Mama Rich,” who subjected them to harsh punishments if they failed to meet daily financial targets.

The victims claimed they were forced to endure degrading treatment and were coerced into swearing oaths at shrines to deter them from escaping.

The victims, aged between 16 and 25, also revealed the extent of the exploitation, with some reportedly being forced to have multiple encounters with men in a single day.