Ghana police seek US woman’s cooperation over viral kidnap and robbery claim
By DL News
Published
2 min read
In a statement issued on Monday, 9 December 2025, the Service outlined difficulties in pursuing the claims made online by Arianna Naomi Mackey, stressing that investigators have struggled to contact and obtain information from her
The Ghana Police Service says it is now relying on diplomatic channels to secure the cooperation of an American woman who alleged in a viral video that she had been kidnapped and robbed by men she claimed were police officers.
In a statement issued on Monday, 9 December 2025, the Service outlined difficulties in pursuing the claims made online by Arianna Naomi Mackey, stressing that investigators have struggled to contact and obtain information from her since she left the country.
According to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), preliminary checks showed that Ms Mackey recorded the video at a hotel in Accra, but had already checked out and departed Ghana on 5 December via Kotoka International Airport.
“Police subsequently contacted the alleged victim to assist the investigation,” the statement said.
She reportedly told officers she was no longer in Ghana and could not provide the names of the alleged officers or the registration number of the vehicle they were using.
The CID added that efforts to follow up had been frustrated. Ms Mackey is said to have:
Deleted the viral video;
Declined to respond to later messages from investigators;
Blocked police contacts on WhatsApp; and
Refused to share the details of a Ghanaian friend who was allegedly with her during the incident, saying the friend did not wish to be drawn into the matter.
Despite these setbacks, the Service said it continues to treat the case as a priority.
“The Ghana Police Service treats such allegations very seriously and remains committed to uncovering the facts in this case,” the release stressed. It was signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer for the CID.
Allegations of wrongdoing by people in police uniform, especially at checkpoints, have long been a source of unease for many Ghanaians. The Service has faced repeated calls to clamp down on extortion, harassment and other abuses along major road corridors.
In this latest case, police say their investigation remains open and that they are now engaging through official diplomatic channels in a bid to obtain Ms Mackey’s full cooperation and clarify the events behind the viral video.
