Operatives of the New Juaben South Municipal Police Command in Koforidua, Eastern Region of Ghana, have arrested 13 suspected commercial sex workers—12 Nigerians and one Ghanaian—during a special operation targeting prostitution and human trafficking.

Police also apprehended two additional suspects: a landlord accused of providing accommodation for the activities and a bouncer allegedly linked to the operation.

According to Modern Ghana, the arrests were carried out on Monday, February 10, 2026, following a complaint filed on February 6 by 30-year-old Nigerian woman Stella Godwill.

She told authorities she had been trafficked from Nigeria to Ghana by a woman identified as Christabel Simon Monday for prostitution.

According to the Municipal Police Commander, Superintendent Ransford Nsiah, the complainant alleged she was required to meet a daily earnings target of 400 Ghana cedis but could only raise 250 cedis on the day of the incident.

Police said about 15 suspects, aged between 15 and 31, are currently in custody and will be arraigned in court after investigations. Authorities confirmed that the minor among them has been separated for protection, while arrangements are being made with the Department of Social Welfare.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Augustine Kusi Asante, the Municipal Crime Officer, warned landlords against renting properties for illegal activities, noting that Section 277 of Ghana’s Criminal Offences Act, 1960, criminalises operating a brothel and prescribes penalties including fines or imprisonment.

The suspects, police said, have violated Sections 273, 274, and 277 of the Act, which prohibit prostitution, human trafficking, and brothel operations.

Police expressed concern over the involvement of minors in commercial sex activities and urged the public to provide information that could help dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable persons.

Authorities said investigations are ongoing as part of broader efforts to curb trafficking and exploitation in the Eastern Region, where previous probes uncovered syndicates that allegedly lured young girls from Nigeria with promises of hospitality jobs before forcing them into prostitution.

Colombia has declared a state of emergency in response to severe flooding that has claimed at least 18 lives and forced thousands from their homes in the country’s northern cattle region.

Authorities reported that rising waters from an overflowing dam and several rivers submerged homes in Córdoba, one of the hardest-hit departments, affecting more than 150,000 residents.

The floods have damaged over 4,300 homes and inundated vast areas used for farming and livestock grazing. The country’s cattle ranchers’ association confirmed that at least 1,200 cattle perished due to the disaster.

Earlier reports from Colombia’s disaster relief agency indicated 22 fatalities nationwide, though this figure was later revised to 18.

President Gustavo Petro issued the emergency decree on Wednesday, granting the government authority to implement urgent measures for 30 days. The order allows resources to be directed to affected areas without requiring congressional approval.

Officials continue to monitor the situation closely as heavy rainfall persists across northern Colombia, raising concerns about additional flooding and further displacement of residents.