Key points

• Ghana Immigration Service arrests 93 Nigerians in Accra over alleged cybercrime and trafficking.

• Authorities rescue 73 Nigerians reportedly held and abused by the suspected network.

• Officers seize laptops, phones, fake dollars and suspected fake gold bars during raids

Ghanaian authorities have arrested 93 Nigerians over alleged cybercrime and human trafficking activities in the capital, Accra, while rescuing 73 other Nigerians believed to have been held in abusive conditions.

The arrests followed a coordinated operation carried out by the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) at six houses located in the DEVTRACO Estate area, according to a report by ABC News GH citing immigration officials.

Immigration officers uncover alleged cybercrime network

Among those arrested were 91 men and two women who are expected to face charges linked to cybercrime and immigration violations, officials said.

Deputy Superintendent of Immigration Newman Akuffo, who led the operation under the GIS National Operations Unit, said the raid targeted a suspected network involved in internet fraud and the unlawful detention of individuals.

Authorities said the operation uncovered a large quantity of electronic devices and other items believed to have been used in fraudulent activities.

Officers recovered 82 laptops, 57 mobile phones, 17 television sets, counterfeit U.S. dollars and fake gold bars.

“The operation demonstrates our commitment to rooting out criminal networks exploiting our communities,” Akuffo said.

Victims repatriated to Nigeria

Officials said 73 Nigerians found during the operation were believed to be victims of human trafficking and had reportedly been subjected to abuse.

The victims have since been repatriated to Nigeria.

Preliminary investigations indicated that several of the suspects entered Ghana through unauthorized border routes, while others allegedly overstayed the 90-day visa-free entry permitted for Nigerian nationals.

Suspects face possible prison terms

The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service warned that suspects could face prosecution under Ghana’s Human Trafficking Act of 2005.

Under the law, individuals found guilty of recruiting, transporting or harboring people for exploitation through force, fraud or coercion can face prison terms ranging from five to 20 years. Cases involving children or other aggravating circumstances may attract life imprisonment.

Violations of immigration laws, including illegal entry or overstaying visas, can also lead to fines or jail terms of between three months and two years.

Growing scrutiny of Nigerians abroad

The operation is considered one of the largest recent crackdowns on suspected cybercrime and trafficking networks in Ghana.

It also comes at a time of increasing scrutiny of Nigerians in several countries.

Earlier this week, 42 Nigerians were reportedly detained at a spare parts market in Mozambique. The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission criticized the arrests, describing them as disturbing and warning that the action could amount to xenophobia if no offences were established against those detained.