53 Nigerians arrested as security agencies bust cybercrime centres across Accra

Minister for Communications, Samuel Nartey George, says 53 Nigerian nationals were arrested after security agencies dismantled suspected cybercrime centres across several Accra communities.

The arrests followed intelligence-led operations coordinated by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) over a 48-hour period, targeting locations at East Legon Hills, Afienya, Kwabenya, Weija and Tuba.

In a Facebook post on Sunday evening, the minister said the intelligence revealed that young men were being exploited and coerced by alleged kingpins to engage in cybercrime activities from rented apartments.

Acting on the information, a joint team comprising National Security Operations, the CSA, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters and the National Police SWAT carried out coordinated raids on January 16 and 17, 2026.

According to Mr George, nine of those arrested are suspects believed to be behind the operations, while 44 others were rescued as victims. The victims were found inside apartments operating laptop computers believed to have been used for cybercrime activities.

Searches conducted during the operations led to the retrieval of 52 assorted mobile phones, 62 laptop computers and two pump-action guns.

In total, 53 Nigerian nationals were arrested across the five locations, with Tuba recording the highest number at 17, followed by Afienya with 11, Kwabenya and Weija with 10 each, and East Legon Hills with five.

“All the arrested individuals have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and further investigations,” the minister stated.

He cautioned foreign nationals invited to Ghana to exercise due diligence, urging them to verify claims made by fellow nationals who lure them into the country under false pretences.

Mr George disclosed that some individuals picked up in previous cybercrime operations have already been profiled by the Ghana Immigration Service and INTERPOL and handed over to Nigerian law enforcement authorities at the Seme border. Others, he added, are currently facing prosecution before Ghanaian courts.

“Protecting Ghana’s cyber image internationally is non-negotiable,” he stressed, commending the CSA and partner law enforcement agencies for the coordinated operation.

He ended the statement with a patriotic message, “For God and Country,” as the government steps up efforts to clamp down on cybercrime and transnational criminal networks operating within Ghana.