The Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, has publicly acknowledged the contribution of The1957News to a police operation that led to the rescue of suspected human trafficking victims and the dismantling of a cybercrime network at Kwabenya in the Greater Accra Region.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, COP Donkor said information that triggered the operation reached the Ghana Police Service after one of the victims contacted The1957News.
She noted that the information enabled investigators to act swiftly, culminating in the rescue of the victims and the disruption of the criminal operation.
“…Was reported due to the vigilance of our friend from The1957News, one of the victims contacted that media outlet and we were able to rescue the victims,” COP Donkor stated.
The intelligence-led operation, carried out on July 12 by the CID’s Cybercrime Unit with support from the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the CID Headquarters Operations Unit, resulted in the rescue of 18 suspected victims of human trafficking and the arrest of five Nigerian suspects believed to be members of a cybercrime and human trafficking syndicate.
Police investigations indicate that the victims, aged between 15 and 24, had allegedly been trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana and forced to engage in cyber-enabled fraud. Officers discovered the victims after forcing open a locked room in a three-bedroom apartment during the operation.
According to the CID, the successful raid not only secured the victims’ freedom but also dismantled the cybercrime network that had allegedly been using them to perpetrate online fraud.
The five suspects have since been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court to assist with investigations, while the rescued victims have been placed under the care of the appropriate authorities for protection and rehabilitation.
The Ghana Police Service encouraged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities through the appropriate channels, stressing that timely information remains essential to preventing crime and protecting vulnerable persons.
The commendation adds to a growing list of recognitions for The1957News, which has emerged as one of Ghana’s most impactful digital news platforms.
Since its establishment as a political blog, The1957News has built a reputation for investigative reporting, breaking news and public interest journalism, earning commendations from prominent public officials and institutions.
Among those who have publicly acknowledged the work of The1957News is President John Dramani Mahama, who has praised the platform’s contribution to Ghana’s media landscape, alongside other national leaders who have recognised its role in informing the public and promoting accountability.