The Upper East Regional Police Command has arrested three people for their alleged involvement in a human trafficking and prostitution network operating in Gbane in the Talensi District.

The suspects, all Nigerian nationals residing in Ghana, have been identified as Peace Agbede, 26, Favour Sunday Udo, 26, and Faith Levy, 25.

According to a police statement issued on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the suspects allegedly recruited young women from Nigeria with promises of better opportunities in Ghana before forcing them into commercial sex work.

Investigators said one of the rescued victims was persuaded to travel to Ghana after being promised a chance to pursue a career in the country’s film industry because of her appearance.

However, upon arriving in Ghana, she was allegedly taken to the mining community of Gbane instead, where she was coerced into prostitution.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that suspect Peace Agbede met the victim in Nigeria and promised to help her join the Ghana movie industry because of her beauty. The victim accepted and reluctantly followed her to Ghana.

“On their arrival, Peace Agbede failed to fulfill her promise but rather took her to the mining site at Gbane-Tongo and coerced the victim into prostitution,” the police stated.

Police further alleged that the victim was required to pay GH¢400 each day from her earnings to Peace Agbede.

“The victim is made to pay Four Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢400.00) a day to her madam, suspect Peace Agbede,” the statement added.

The investigation also uncovered allegations involving the victim’s newborn child. Police said after she gave birth on June 26, 2026, two of the suspects allegedly attempted to persuade her to sell the baby to a prospective buyer for GH¢20,000.

“The victim who had gotten pregnant gave birth on 26/06/2026, following which suspect Peace Agbede and her accomplice Favour Sunday Udo visited her and tried convincing her to sell the baby for Twenty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢20,000.00) to an interested party who was ready to pay the said amount for the child,” the statement said.

During a search of Peace Agbede’s room, officers recovered six sales record books bearing different names, including Esther, Mary, Bright and Silver, as well as 265 unused condoms.

The operation also led to the rescue of four additional female victims, aged between 18 and 20 years.

Police said the three suspects remain in custody and are expected to be arraigned after investigations are completed. Authorities say investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the alleged trafficking network and identify any other individuals connected to the operation.