141 Nigerian nationals have been arrested over their alleged involvement in cyber-crime, including mobile money fraud, romance scam, s3xtortion and business email compromise scams in Ghana.
The arrests were made in the early hours of Saturday, December 27, 2025 following a coordinated intelligence-led swoop in the Lashibi and Tabora suburbs of Accra.
The arrests followed a coordinated early-morning operation carried out by the Cyber Security Authority of Ghana in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, National Security and the Ghana Immigration Service.
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samul Nartey George, who made the announcement in a statement said 100 suspects were arrested in Tabora while 41 others were picked up in Lashibi, all of whom are believed to be Nigerian nationals.
Law enforcement agencies also recovered 38 laptops and 150 mobile phones suspected to have been used in perpetrating cyber-related financial crimes.
He disclosed that during the operation, a Ghanaian landlord who allegedly accommodated about 100 of the suspects in his house was also arrested.
The suspects were allegedly involved in offences including mobile money fraud, romance scams, sextortion, business email compromise and wire fraud.
“This morning, the Cyber Security Authority Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service, National Security, and the Ghana Immigration Service HQ, conducted a coordinated early-morning operation targeting organised cybercrime networks involved in Mobile Money (MoMo) fraud and Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams,” the statement read.
The intelligence-led operation was carried out across key locations in Tabora and Lashibi. During the operation, 100 suspects were arrested in Tabora, while 41 suspects were apprehended in Lashibi, resulting in a total of 141 arrests.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are believed to be Nigerian nationals. Law enforcement agencies also recovered 38 laptops and 150 mobile phones, suspected to have been used in the commission of cyber-enabled financial crimes.
“The team also arrested the Ghanaian landlord who accommodated 100 of the suspects in his house. Landlords have a duty to ensure that their premises are not used to facilitate or perpetuate crime.
“The suspects are alleged to have been involved in several criminal activities, including: Mobile Money (MoMo) fraud, Romance scams, Sextortion, Business Email Compromise (BEC) Wire fraud.
“Forensic analysis of the seized devices is underway, and individuals found to be culpable will be processed in accordance with Ghanaian law.
“The public is urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious digital activities, and continue to support national efforts to combat cybercrime.
“Ghana remains welcoming to all of our friends and neighbours interested in legitimate enterprise. However, if you are interested in committing a cybercrime, we will find you, arrest you, and deal with you decisively according to our laws.”
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Abubakar Musa, over alleged ritual desecration of the Holy Qur’an in Zuru Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Bashir Usman, who disclosed this in a statement on 14th August 2026, said the suspect was arrested in connection with alleged criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance.
According to the PPRO, on August 9, 2026, Musa and two other suspects, Rabi’u Tela and Hamza Zango, allegedly dug a pit and buried a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, d3ad animals, and other fetish items.
The police spokesperson said the act was allegedly intended to make Rabi’u Tela’s wife Zarau Hassan more submissive to him.
“The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested Abubakar Musa, male, 29, of Rafin Mose Village, Zuru LGA, in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy, abuse of religious books, use of spells and hypnosis, and inciting disturbance,” the statement read.
“The incident occurred on 9th August 2026, at about 1900hrs, at Zango Area, Zuru. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly conspired with two others; Rabi’u Tela, husband of Zarau Hassan, and Hamza Zango, both now at large, to dig a pit inside Zarau Hassan’s room and bury therein a copy of the Holy Qur’an, together with semen, white and red kolanuts, underwear, dead animals, and other fetish items.
“The act was allegedly intended to make Zarau Hassan more submissive to her husband, Rabi’u Tela, and was carried out in circumstances capable of provoking a breach of the peace among the Muslim faithful in the community.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the two fleeing suspects, while Abubakar Musa remains in police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, psc, MNIM, strongly condemns the alleged act and warns that the Command will deal decisively, within the law, with individuals whose actions threaten religious harmony, public order, and peaceful coexistence.
“Members of the public are urged to promptly report suspicious activities to the Police through 09039911876 or 07081074395. All information will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”
Gunmen have abducted 14 passengers travelling along the Otukpo–Adoka road in Benue State.
The incident occurred on Thursday night, August 13, 2026 when an 18-seater commercial bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja was reportedly ambushed along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area.
A resident, Ochai, who spoke with punch on Friday, said the gunmen forced all the passengers into the surrounding forest.
“Some gunmen ambushed an 18-seater bus heading to Abuja between Omutele and Ankpechi along Otukpo -Adola road yesterday (Thursday) night. All the passengers in the vehicle were whisked away by the gunmen,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, who confirmed the incident in a statement said five of the victims have so far been rescued.
According to the PPRO, the police launched a coordinated rescue operation early Friday.
Aondongu said the operation involved an exchange of gunfire between the security operatives and the kidnappers.
“The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a kidnapping incident involving a commercial passenger bus travelling from Enugu State to Abuja along the Ankpechi–Omutele axis of Ohimini Local Government Area on the night of 13 August 2026,” the statement read
“Following the incident, operatives of the command commenced a coordinated rescue operation early this (Friday) morning. The operation, which involved an exchange of gunfire, has so far resulted in the successful rescue of five victims, including a four-year-old boy, while nine others remain in the custody of the suspected kidnappers.”
The police spokesperson disclosed that one of the rescued victims sustained a gunshot injury during the operation and was taken to a medical facility in Otukpo for treatment.
He said the police, working with other security agencies, had intensified efforts to secure the release of the remaining nine victims.
According to Aondongu, the operation was being conducted cautiously, with the safety of the abducted passengers prioritised.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, also assured the victims’ families and members of the public that efforts would continue until the remaining passengers were rescued.
He urged residents of the affected communities to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could aid the rescue operation.