Authorities in Ghana have arrested 93 Nigerians over alleged involvement in cybercrime and human trafficking operations in the country’s capital, Accra, while rescuing 73 other Nigerians who were reportedly subjected to torture and abuse by the suspected criminal network.
According to reports by ABC News GH on Tuesday, the arrests were carried out by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) following a coordinated operation targeting properties believed to be used by the syndicate.
Among those arrested were 91 men and two women who are currently facing charges related to cybercrime and immigration violations.
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According to the report, the 73 victims rescued during the operation have since been repatriated to Nigeria after authorities determined that they had been held under harsh conditions and forced to participate in fraudulent activities.
The crackdown followed intelligence-led raids on six houses located within the DEVTRACO Estate in Accra.
Officials said the properties were allegedly being used as operational bases for internet fraud and for unlawfully detaining individuals who were recruited into the scheme.
Newman Akuffo, Deputy Superintendent of Immigration who led the operation under the GIS National Operations Unit, disclosed that officers recovered a large cache of items believed to have been used in the suspected criminal activities.
“Among the items seized were 82 laptop computers, 57 mobile phones, and 17 television sets, as well as counterfeit United States dollars and fake gold bars believed to have been deployed in elaborate online fraud schemes”, the report said.
Akuffo said the successful operation underscores the immigration service’s resolve to dismantle organised criminal groups exploiting communities and vulnerable individuals.
“The operation demonstrates our commitment to rooting out criminal networks exploiting our communities,” he stated.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the immigration service indicated that some of the suspects entered Ghana through unauthorised border routes, while others initially entered legally but overstayed the 90-day visa-free period granted to Nigerian citizens under regional travel arrangements.
The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service warned that those found guilty of human trafficking could face severe penalties under Ghana’s Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694).
The law criminalises the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of individuals for the purpose of exploitation through force, fraud, coercion or abuse of power.
Under the legislation, offenders may face prison sentences ranging from five to 20 years.
Cases involving minors or other aggravating circumstances could attract life imprisonment.
In addition, suspects who violated Ghana’s immigration regulations by entering the country illegally or overstaying their permitted period may face separate sanctions, including fines or jail terms of between three months and two years.
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Authorities described the raid as one of the largest anti-fraud and anti-human trafficking operations conducted in the country in recent years.
It highlighted Ghana’s increasing efforts to clamp down on cybercrime networks operating within residential neighbourhoods.
The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigerian nationals abroad following similar incidents in other countries.
Earlier in the week, 42 Nigerians were reportedly detained at a spare parts market in Mozambique, an action condemned by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), which described the arrests as potentially xenophobic.
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, NIDCOM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, , expressed concern over the development, noting that the detained Nigerians were reportedly not formally charged with any offence at the time of their arrest.
She described the incident as disturbing and urged authorities in Mozambique to ensure that the rights of Nigerians living and doing business in the country are respected.
