Major Arrests in Ghana Target Cyberfraud and Human Trafficking
A significant operation conducted by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) on Thursday led to the arrest of over 50 Nigerians suspected of involvement in cyberfraud and human trafficking. The arrests took place at McCarthy Hills in the Ga South Municipality of Accra, where a coordinated security operation was carried out alongside other national security agencies.
According to reports from local Ghanaian media and a statement issued by the GIS, the raid was triggered by intelligence indicating that foreign nationals were unlawfully residing in the area. Many of these individuals were reportedly trafficked into Ghana and forced into online criminal activities. The operation also resulted in the arrest of the landlord of the property where the suspects were staying.
Assistant Commissioner of Immigration, M. Amoako-Atta, who heads the Public Affairs department of the GIS, confirmed the operation. He stated that the Ghana Immigration Service conducted the special operation early on July 24, 2025, following intelligence about the illegal presence of foreign nationals in the region. “Some of them were trafficked into the country and forced into cyber fraud by their facilitators,” he said.
The raids led to the apprehension of dozens of individuals, with investigations still ongoing. Amoako-Atta added that the suspects are currently being screened, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
This latest incident is part of a broader crackdown on cybercrime and trafficking syndicates operating within residential communities across Ghana. Similar operations have been conducted in the past, such as a joint raid in April 2025 by the Economic and Organised Crime Office, the Ghana Police Service, and other security agencies at Oyarifa in the Ga East Municipality. That operation resulted in the arrest of 219 foreign nationals, including minors, and uncovered a major cybercrime and human trafficking network.
The case also echoes a similar incident in 2021, when 53 Nigerians were arrested in India after an attack on the Mohan Garden Police Station in Dwarka. The protest turned violent after one of their compatriots died in a nearby hospital, with Assistant Sub-Inspector Narendra Kumar reportedly firing three warning shots after about 30 Nigerians stormed the police station and threatened officers.
Public Reaction and Concerns
Following the recent arrests, Ghanaians have taken to social media to express concerns over what they describe as the growing influx of Nigerians suspected of involvement in criminal activities. Many online commentators have called for the government to strengthen border security and intensify efforts to combat suspected criminal elements.
One Facebook user, Prince Nipah, criticized the Ghana Immigration Service for lax enforcement at the borders. “Joke of a country,” he wrote. “There are over 1,000-plus Nigerians passing by our borders every day, but you will stop Ghanaians’ cars and be asking for ID cards coming from Aflao while these same Nigerian vehicles pass by checkpoints.”
Another user, SJ World, raised suspicions about his Nigerian neighbor, noting that the individual is rarely seen outside and keeps the air conditioner running constantly. “He’s always indoors smoking weed. He’s a prime suspect. I wonder the type of work he does,” he wrote.
Ghanaian user Ali Hassan questioned the increasing migration of Nigerians into Ghana, asking, “Why are Nigerians rushing into Ghana? Is there a war in Nigeria?” Meanwhile, Akubila Anabelle criticized the immigration authorities for allegedly failing to properly screen the suspects before entry.
“How did they manage to enter this country?” she asked. “It is the same immigration service that allowed them in. An investigation must be made on how they managed to enter, where they passed through, and whether there were immigration officers there or not,” she added.
These concerns highlight the growing public anxiety about the presence of foreign nationals engaged in illicit activities and the need for stricter border controls and more rigorous screening processes. As investigations continue, the government faces mounting pressure to address these issues and restore public confidence in its ability to protect national security.
