A young woman has recounted a harrowing experience in which she allegedly narrowly escaped a kidnapping attempt at Lapaz in Accra, with the suspected abductor allegedly using a chemically treated handkerchief to subdue her before a bystander intervened and foiled the plot.
According to the victim, the incident occurred between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. while she was out wearing a Ghana national team jersey during the ongoing FIFA World Cup period.
She said an unidentified man approached her and initiated a conversation by asking where he could purchase a similar jersey.
Shortly after the brief exchange, the suspect allegedly attempted to wipe her face with a handkerchief without her consent. The woman said she resisted and expressed displeasure at the unsolicited act.
Within moments, she began experiencing dizziness, and the man allegedly insisted she accompany him to his nearby vehicle to “relax”, a move she and observers have interpreted as an attempt to transport her to an unknown location.
The situation was averted when a woman in the vicinity witnessed the unfolding incident and intervened, preventing the suspect from leading the victim away. The suspect’s identity and whereabouts remain unknown.
The victim has since shared her ordeal publicly, sparking widespread concern on social media and renewing calls for heightened public vigilance, particularly among young women travelling alone in the evenings.
Members of the public have been urged to report suspicious behaviour immediately to the nearest police station and to avoid engaging with strangers in isolated or vulnerable circumstances, particularly during evening hours.
Here’s how she narrated her story.
