Woman Arrested for Allegedly Luring Boyfriend into Human Trafficking Trap in Burkina Faso

The Police in Kasoa in the Central Region have arrested a 25-year-old woman suspected of luring her boyfriend into a cross-border human trafficking scheme that led to his abduction in Burkina Faso.

The suspect, identified as Janet Yenka Yinkrug, allegedly convinced her boyfriend, Mahmoud Imoro, to travel with her to Burkina Faso under the pretext of securing employment opportunities in Spain. According to police and the victim’s account, the plan was for Janet to continue to Spain to meet her supposed business partners, while arrangements for Imoro’s travel documents would be completed.

However, events took a drastic turn when Imoro was abducted in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, and forced to participate in the trafficking network by luring other unsuspecting victims.

Imoro said his girlfriend initially told him she had contacted a Spanish company seeking workers and that GH₵10,000 was required to process his travel documents. After he made the payment, Janet later claimed the documentation could be completed more easily in Burkina Faso.

“She left me behind in Burkina Faso after we had serious arguments because nothing was making sense. I was later told there were no arrangements in Spain and that if I wanted my money back, I had to bring in other clients,” Imoro recounted.

He said his captors seized his phone, denied him food for days, and closely monitored all communications. He was only fed when he succeeded in contacting and luring potential victims. Imoro added that he encountered other abducted victims from different West African countries who were subjected to similar treatment and denied access to their phones, making it nearly impossible to reach family members.

After spending nearly a year in captivity, Imoro said he managed to escape while running an errand, taking advantage of the trust his captors had developed in him.

His sister, Mariam Mahmoud, described his condition upon return as alarming. “My brother looked bony and very unwell. I had to take him to the pharmacy for immune boosters and supplements. He really suffered because they were not properly fed,” she said.

Police sources confirmed that Janet Yenka Yinkrug had been on a wanted list since December 2025 and was arrested in Kasoa following a request from police in Zebilla.

Mariam has called for a thorough investigation and prosecution of the suspect, while also urging West African leaders to intensify efforts to dismantle human trafficking syndicates operating across the sub-region.