Nigerian Woman, 24, Jailed Seven Years for Human Trafficking in Tamale
A 24-year-old Nigerian woman, Mariam Yussif, has been sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment with hard labour after a court in Tamale found her guilty of human trafficking.
The Northern Regional Police Command said the conviction was secured on October 22, 2026, following investigations into the recruitment and movement of victims from Nigeria to Ghana for sexual exploitation.
Yussif and her 22-year-old sister, Precious Clement, were arrested in Yendi on August 17, 2026, over their suspected involvement in the trafficking operation.
Yussif was subsequently charged under Section 2(1) of the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), and appeared before the court on August 19. She denied the charge and was remanded into custody while proceedings continued.
After several adjournments, the Gender-Based Violence Court in Tamale completed the trial and convicted Yussif, handing her a seven-year custodial sentence.
She has since been moved to Tamale Central Prison to begin serving her sentence.
Meanwhile, the police said Clement was released after investigations did not produce sufficient evidence to establish a case against her.
The two victims connected to the case have also been returned to Nigeria, where they have been reunited with their respective families.
In a statement, the Northern Regional Police Command said the conviction demonstrated the importance of intelligence-led policing, detailed investigations and effective prosecution in efforts to combat human trafficking.
The Command called on members of the public to alert the appropriate authorities whenever they suspect trafficking activities, assuring the public of its continued commitment to safeguarding vulnerable persons and ensuring that offenders are brought before the law.
Human trafficking refers to the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people for the purpose of exploitation through prohibited means. The practice can involve sexual exploitation, abuse and other forms of coercion.
The police further urged the public to remain alert and provide information that could assist law enforcement agencies in detecting suspected trafficking networks and preventing the exploitation of potential victims.
