The Western Regional Command Headquarters, of the Ghana Immigration Service has intensified its intelligence and enforcement operations across the Western Region.
A development which has led to a number of arrests and repatriation of Ivorian nationals.
A press release issued and signed by Inspector Moses Manford Akakpo, Western Region Public Relations Affairs Officer lauded all the key stakeholders for cooperating with the Immigration Command to win the war against growing illegal migration activities in the country and the dangers associated with it.
According to the Public Relations Officer, in its quest to rid the Western Region off irregular migrants, and the associated security challenges, the Command has vowed to leave no stone unturned in intensifying operations
“This is in line with the recently unvailed GIS “TRIPPLE S” campaign launched, by the Ghana Immigration Service, with the aim of ensuring a Secured, Stable and Safe nation”
On Wednesday, 27th March, 2024, the Command succeeded in rounding up sixty-six (66) Ivorian irregular migrants at their hideout at H/NO. WS-391-0907 within the Anaji Hills enclave of the Western Regional C+capital of Sekondi-Takoradi.
At about 2200hrs on the above mentioned date, the officer in charge of the Intelligence Unit (OIC/Intel), C/Supt. Elijah Narh, led a team of officers from the Regional Command Headquarters to begin a spirited 24-hour operation resulting in the arrest of the said Ivorian nationals.
The suspects (45 men and 21 women), aged between 19 and 54 years, were recruited from towns such as Tanda, Agnibilekro, Bondougkou, Nianda, Aboisso Abidjan to engage in cyber crimes and other suspected illegal activities.
Investigations revealed that, neither of them was in possession of a passport or any form of identification documents which confirmed their illegal entry and residence status in the country.
Further investigations revealed that, on Saturday, 11th November 2023, one Romio and Akwesi Daniel (Ghanaians) who have been identified as part of the syndicate involved in recruiting these unsuspecting Ivorians under the guise of operating an online business, QNET, approached the landlady, one madam Juliet Quayson to accommodate them.
A receipt retrieved from the suspects indicates that, Madam Juliet Quayson agreed to rent out her house at Anaji Hills at the cost of Twent-Four Thousand Ghana Cedis (Ghc 24,000.00) for two years for them.
The Alliens Registration Regulation, 1974, L.I. 856 enjoins property owners in Ghana to confirm immigration status of all would be foreign tenants before engaging them.
In the light of this, the Western Regional Command of the Service is encouraging Madam Juliet Quayson to avail herself to the ongoing investigations in her own interest.
Meanwhile, all the suspects have been repatriated to their home country, with exception of two, Bamba Ladja, 26, and Traore Yussou, 21, who have been detained to assist in the investigations.
In a related development, on the 19th of March, 2024, the Axim Sector Commander, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration (DSI), Emmanuel Adams, led a similar operation, resulting in the arrest of six Nigerian ladies, operating as commercial sex workers at the Bafana Bafana Beach Resort, a notorious brothel.
The aforementioned night ladies whose age ranges between 19 and 26 years have also been since repatriated.
It may be recalled that the manager of the Bafana Bafana Brothel, Mr. Kofi Bekoe, is currently before the Sekondi District court A, charged with harbouring foreigners (Prostitutes).
This was after he had been arrested by the Axim Sector Command of the GIS at the same facility during a swoop in on suspected Prostitutes.
“The Western Regional Command of the Service, seizes this opportunity once again, to express its gratitude to all stakeholders, especially to the members of the Anaji Hills residents association in this particular instance for their cooperation in the execution of the latest security exercise” the release concluded.
By: Zambaga Rufai Saminu | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
