The Ghana Police Service has arrested 26 Nigerian nationals in a series of intelligence-led operations targeting alleged human trafficking and cybercrime syndicates, rescuing 33 victims and recovering dozens of electronic devices believed to have been used in cyber-enabled fraud.
In a related operation, police also arrested two suspects in the Ashanti Region over the alleged illegal trafficking of firearms and ammunition.
The operations, conducted between July 3 and July 15, 2026, were disclosed yesterday by the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), COP Lydia Yaako Donkor, during a press briefing in Accra.
According to COP Donkor, the operations formed part of the Police Service’s efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks engaged in cybercrime, human trafficking and illicit arms trafficking.
The first operation, conducted on July 3, 2026 at Mataheko, near Afienya in the Tema enclave, resulted in the arrest of 10 Nigerian nationals, allegedly operating an internet fraud syndicate from a residential apartment.
The suspects were identified as Collins Francis Olayi Ojo, Matthew Balogun, Jaheed Bello, Abdul Rahman Nufizi, Talent Sinevi, Prey Morrison, Lawal Abdul Aziz, David Ogugona, Gift Prince and Kingsley Honest.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that Collins Francis OlayiOjo allegedly coordinated the syndicate and facilitated the movement of nine Nigerian nationals from Nigeria into Ghana, where they were allegedly compelled to engage in cyber-enabled fraudulent activities.
The nine individuals were identified as victims of human trafficking and have since been rescued and placed under the care of the appropriate authorities.
A search of the apartment led to the recovery of 28 laptop computers and nine mobile phones, which have been secured for digital forensic examination.
Police said Collins Francis Olayi Ojo has been remanded into police custody by the Accra High Court while investigations continue.
In another intelligence-led operation on July 7, officers from the Tema Regional Police Intelligence Directorate arrested 11 Nigerian nationals at Fafa Community over alleged cybercrime activities.
A search of the premises resulted in the recovery of 14 laptop computers with accessories and 12 smart phones, believed to have been used in cybercrime-related offences.
Investigations established that six of the 11 individuals were victims of human trafficking who had allegedly been lured from Nigeria under false pretences and forced to engage in cyber-enabled fraud. The victims received medical screening and other support before being repatriated to Nigeria.
Police, however, said further investigations revealed that Godstime Terry, 34, and Wilson Makuo, 21, who were initially identified as victims, were in fact coordinators of the syndicate.
Another suspect, identified only as Jerry, remains at large.
A third operation, carried out on July 12, 2026 by the CID Cybercrime Unit, the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the CID Headquarters Operations Unit, led to the arrest of five Nigerian nationals at Kwabenya, in Accra.
The suspects were identified as Chigozi Azubuike, Edwin Onyema, Kingsley Nwachukwu, Henry Ebuke and Harrison Godwin.
Police said intelligence suggested that several young Nigerians had been trafficked into Ghana and were being housed at a residential property where they were allegedly compelled to engage in cybercrime.
During a search of the three-bedroom apartment, officers forced open a locked bedroom and discovered 22 young Nigerians, of whom 18, aged between 15 and 24 years, were identified as victims of human trafficking.
Police alleged that the victims had been instructed by Chigozi Azubuike, described as the self-styled “Chairman”, to hide from officers during the operation.
The victims have since been rescued and placed under the care of the appropriate authorities.
Investigators also recovered 52 assorted mobile phones and several wireless internet devices, which have been secured for forensic examination. The five suspects have been remanded into police custody to assist investigations.
Meanwhile, the CID’s Anti-Armed Robbery Unit arrested Christopher Kupeni, 63, and Kwabena Tawiah, 56, in the Ashanti Region over the alleged illegal trafficking of firearms and ammunition.
According to COP Donkor, intelligence gathered earlier this year suggested that the suspects had been supplying firearms to various buyers, including suspected criminal elements.
Police said Christopher Kupeni allegedly admitted the offence during interrogation and identified Kwabena Tawiah as his supplier.
A search led to the recovery of a Malik pistol, a Walther PK380 pistol, a Smith & Wesson pistol, a Stoga STR Series pistol and a Toros G2C pistol loaded with five rounds of live 9mm ammunition. Officers also retrieved three additional pistol magazines, 100 rounds of live 9mm ammunition and 20 rounds of .380 Auto PPU live ammunition.
COP Donkor said Kwabena Tawiah allegedly admitted operating an unlicensed firearms business for the past 10 years and supplying weapons to clients across the country without the required documentation.
Both suspects remain in police custody while investigators work to identify their accomplices and trace the source of the weapons.
COP Donkor reiterated the Police Service’s commitment to combating organised crime and warned that persons involved in human trafficking, cybercrime and the illegal trade in firearms would be prosecuted in accordance with Ghanaian law. She also appealed to the public to volunteer credible information to support police efforts to combat organised crime.
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The post Police Arrest 26 Nigerians in Human Trafficking, Cybercrime Crackdown appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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