ACCRA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- A total of 44 Ghanaians have been rescued by a joint team of Ghanaian and Nigerian security services from criminal gangs disguised as recruitment agencies, Ghana's Foreign Affairs Ministry said Saturday.

According to a statement released by the ministry, the fraudulent recruitment agencies used social media and other informal recruitment channels, offering false promises of employment and travel opportunities. However, "upon arrival, they were subjected to exploitative conditions, including restricted movement, psychological coercion and pressure to recruit others into the scheme."

"Following a coordinated operation conducted on March 16 by Nigerian security authorities, including the Department of State Services, in collaboration with relevant Ghanaian institutions, the victims arrived in Accra on Friday, March 20," the release said.

It added that steps are underway to rehabilitate the rescued victims, while the Ghanaian government is working closely with its Nigerian counterparts and relevant stakeholders to dismantle the criminal gangs involved. ■