A viral claim about an American woman alleging a police-style kidnapping in Accra has prompted a formal inquiry by Ghana’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The video, which has since been removed, depicted Arianna Naomi Mackey saying she was abducted and robbed by five masked men who she said were police officers conducting random checks near her hotel where she and two companions were staying.
The CID confirmed on December 9, 2025, through a statement signed by Chief Inspector Brigitte Babanawo, Public Relations Officer, that initial inquiries show Ms. Mackey and her two companions checked out of the hotel on December 5, 2025. Additional checks at Kotoka International Airport revealed she left Ghana on the same day.
Authorities reached out to Ms. Mackey to assist with the investigation, but she claimed she was outside the country and could not provide the names of the officers or the vehicle’s registration number. Investigators also sought contact details for the friend she said was with her during the incident; however, Ms. Mackey reportedly declined to involve that person in the process.
The CID noted that Ms. Mackey subsequently deleted the video and blocked investigators on WhatsApp after failing to respond to calls and messages. As a result, investigators said they are pursuing the matter through diplomatic channels to obtain her cooperation.
The police emphasized that such allegations are taken very seriously and that efforts will continue to uncover the truth behind the claims. They called on anyone with information about the incident to contact the nearest police station or the emergency lines.
The following is the official police statement:
The content above describes a developing case in which a social-media claim of a kidnapping by masked men, allegedly police officers, is under investigation. It highlights the sequence of events, the authorities’ response, and the ongoing steps to verify facts while inviting public assistance. It also underscores the importance of corroborating such serious claims with concrete details, given the potential for misinformation to spread quickly on platforms.
What’s your take on how such viral allegations should be investigated and communicated to the public to balance transparency with protecting individuals’ due process? Would you want more emphasis on evidence before drawing conclusions in reports like this?
