Ghana Arrests 93 Nigerians, Rescues 73 Victims of Human Trafficking

Authorities in Ghana have arrested 93 Nigerians over alleged involvement in cybercrime and human trafficking activities in Accra, while rescuing 73 other Nigerians said to have been subjected to torture and abuse.

A report by ABC News GH on Tuesday, quoting the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), disclosed that those arrested include 91 men and two women who are facing charges related to cybercrime and immigration offences. The 73 rescued victims have since been repatriated to Nigeria.
The arrests followed coordinated operations carried out in six houses located in the DEVTRACO Estate, where officials targeted a network suspected of engaging in internet fraud and the unlawful detention of individuals.
Deputy Superintendent of Immigration, Newman Akuffo, who led the operation under the GIS National Operations Unit, said officers recovered several items during the raid. These include 82 laptops, 57 mobile phones, 17 television sets, counterfeit US dollars and fake gold bars believed to have been used in fraudulent activities.
Akuffo noted that the operation reflects the agency’s determination to dismantle criminal networks operating within local communities.
Preliminary investigations indicated that some of the suspects entered Ghana through unauthorised border routes, while others overstayed the 90-day visa-free entry granted to Nigerians.
The Comptroller-General of GIS warned that offenders could be prosecuted under Ghana’s Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), which criminalises the recruitment, transportation or harbouring of persons for exploitation through force, fraud or abuse. The law prescribes penalties ranging from five to 20 years imprisonment, while cases involving children or other aggravating factors may attract life imprisonment.
Violations of Ghana’s immigration laws, including illegal entry or visa overstay, may also lead to fines or prison terms ranging from three months to two years.
The operation is regarded as one of the largest crackdowns on fraud and human trafficking in recent years, underscoring Ghana’s renewed efforts to dismantle cybercrime networks operating in residential communities.
The development comes amid growing scrutiny of Nigerians abroad following recent mass arrests in other countries. Earlier this week, 42 Nigerians were reportedly detained at a spare parts market in Mozambique, an action the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) condemned as a possible xenophobic attack.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the arrests in Mozambique as troubling, especially as no specific offences had reportedly been brought against the Nigerians involved.