Ghanaian authorities have arrested 53 Nigerian nationals for alleged engagemwnt in cybercrims.
The arrests were made in a sweeping intelligence-driven operation targeting suspected cybercrime hubs across several communities in the Greater Accra Region.
Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, said Sunday, Jan. 18, that the action was part of efforts to safeguard the country’s cyber space and protect its international digital reputation.
According to the minister, intelligence gathered within the last 48 hours by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) uncovered multiple locations allegedly being used for coordinated cybercrime activities in East Legon Hills, Afienya, Kwabenya, Weija and Tuba.
The intelligence reportedly revealed that several young men, mostly foreign nationals, were being coerced and exploited by suspected ringleaders to carry out cyber-related crimes from these locations.
Acting on the information, a joint security task force comprising operatives from National Security Operations, the CSA, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters and the Ghana Police Service SWAT Unit carried out simultaneous raids on January 16 and 17, 2026.Entertainment center
During the operation, nine Nigerians were arrested as key suspects allegedly involved in organising and coordinating the cybercrime network.
Another 44 Nigerians were rescued from various apartments and are believed to be victims of human trafficking and cybercrime exploitation.
Ghana arrests 53 Nigerians in large-scale cybercrime operation; laptops and guns recovered
The minister disclosed that the rescued individuals were found operating laptops in multiple apartments, pointing to what authorities described as a well-structured and organised cybercrime syndicate.
Searches conducted at the locations led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been used in carrying out cyber offences, including 62 laptops, 52 mobile phones and two pump-action guns.
A location-by-location breakdown showed that five suspects were arrested in East Legon Hills, 11 in Afienya, 10 in Kwabenya, 10 in Weija and 17 in Tuba, bringing the total number of Nigerians apprehended to 53.
“All the arrested individuals have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and further investigations,” George said.
He cautioned foreign nationals against falling for false promises of jobs or quick financial gains, urging them to verify claims made by people who lure them into Ghana under dubious pretences.
The minister added that suspects arrested in previous operations had been profiled by the Ghana Immigration Service in collaboration with INTERPOL, with some already handed over to Nigerian authorities at the Seme border, while others are facing prosecution in Ghana.
“Protecting Ghana’s cyber image internationally is non-negotiable,” George stated, commending the CSA and partnering law enforcement agencies for the successful operation.
Two Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to seven years in prison for armed robbery in Kuwait.
The Kuwait General Department of Criminal Investigation in Ahmadi Governorate arrested the two individuals over alleged involvement in an armed robbery and theft of a currency exchange shop in Mahboula, in January 2025.
The Court of Appeal on Monday, July 20, 2026 upheld the imprisonment of the defendants for seven years and six months in connection with the robbery and theft.
The Second Circuit of the Court of Appeal, headed by Counselor Nasr Salem Al-Haid and comprising Counselors Mutaib Al-Aradhi and Saud Al-Sane, upheld the ruling against members of a Nigerian gang involved in the robbery and theft of the money exchange shop.
The Public Prosecution had charged the first four defendants with stealing money from the exchange shop, with the second defendant using a fake gun and enabling the third and fourth defendants to steal the money with the assistance of the first defendant.
The fifth defendant was charged with participating with the defendants, agreeing to commit the crime, helping them conceal the stolen goods, and supplying them with the money obtained from the robbery and theft.
The Criminal Court had sentenced the first and fifth defendants in person, while the remaining defendants were sentenced in absentia.
The court had initially sentenced the first four defendants to seven years’ imprisonment and the fifth defendant to six months’ imprisonment after amending the description and charges.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the ruling, according to a report published by Al Rai newspaper.
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, “m”aged 39, over allegations of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, and the unlawful use of medical equipment.
The suspect was arrested by Police officers attached to Uwanse Division ,Calabar South following a complaint lodged by Mrs. Edemawan Samuel, 45, who alleged that the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and fraudulently obtained the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) from her under the false promise of securing employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly used the false representation to deceive the complainant into parting with the money. Relevant exhibits believed to be connected to the case were recovered during the investigation, and the suspect is currently in police custody.
Confirming his arrest to newsmen, the spokesperson of the command, ASP Eitokpah Akata, said state Commissioner of Police, has directed that a thorough investigation be carried out to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and determine whether there are other victims. Akata added that upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect will be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established.
He mentioned that the command is actively conducting a discreet investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any other possible victims or accomplices. Members of the public are assured that further updates will be provided as investigations progress.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Badagry Area Command, has uncovered an alleged fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, of Lagos State, and rescued 106 youths allegedly lured into the scheme. AkwaIbom News
The Corps also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, which reportedly recruited young people from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Monday after days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance, exposed what security officials described as an alleged fraudulent academic and recruitment scheme.
The youths, mostly aged between 19 and 24, were taken into protective custody by the NSCDC for profiling and further investigation.
Confirming their arrest to newsmen, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the command on activities at the apartment.
“We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in. We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody.”
Preliminary investigations indicated that unsuspecting young people were allegedly persuaded to pay admission and processing fees after being promised admission into a foreign tertiary institution.
The victims reportedly paid between N200,000 and N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals and other participants allegedly paid between $400 and $500.
However, the alleged admission scheme reportedly came with a recruitment condition, with participants encouraged to bring in more people in return for commissions.
The arrangement allegedly operated like a chain marketing or Ponzi scheme, with participants promised increasing financial rewards based on the number of new students they recruited.