Sixteen people between the ages of 12 and 20 were allegedly discovered kidnapped in a single room in Ankaful Zongo, located in the Cape Coast Metropolitan Assembly in the Central Region.
The victims are suspected to be nationals of neighboring countries, such as Burkina Faso, Togo, Mali, and Niger, as they are unable to communicate in any local language and speak different languages, including French.
The kidnapped victims had been kept in the room for about a month, which led to extreme malnourishment due to lack of food and water. Upon receiving information about the incident, the Chief and Opinion Leaders of the Ankaful Community, along with the media, went to the house to verify the claims. However, the main door was locked with a padlock, and the security guard was nowhere to be found.
Residents of the area, who live in fear following the discovery, disclosed to Kasapa News Yaw Boagyan that they had witnessed taxis dropping off young boys at the house, who were later not seen again. The Chief of Ankaful, Nana Abura Asankoma lll, has appealed to the security agencies to launch an investigation and arrest the suspected kidnappers.
The Assembly Member of Cape Coast Ankaful, Hon. George Anarful, revealed that the matter had been reported to the Ankaful Police, but no action has been taken. He further disclosed that the kidnapped victims had allegedly been promised football contracts but were caged and not catered for.
The incident highlights the need for the security agencies to step up their efforts in curbing the activities of kidnappers in the country. It also underscores the importance of vigilance on the part of citizens in reporting suspicious activities to the authorities