Foreign nationals arrested over human trafficking, cybercrime

National Security operatives in the Northern Region have arrested 52 foreign nationals in a coordinated operation targeting what authorities describe as an emerging network linked to human trafficking, cybercrime and suspected Ponzi activities.

The arrests, carried out across multiple locations in the region, involved 12 Ivorians, two Liberians and 31 Burkinabè nationals. Security officials later picked up an additional seven suspects at Fou, a community within the Sagnarigu Municipality, bringing the total number of detainees to 52.

According to National Security, the suspects are currently undergoing processing and will be handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for the appropriate immigration and legal actions.

Regional security officials say the operation forms part of intensified surveillance and enforcement efforts aimed at disrupting organised and cross-border criminal activity in northern Ghana, amid growing concerns about foreign-linked cyber fraud and human trafficking rings.

Speaking to JoyNews’ Martina Bugri, the Northern Regional Security Liaison Officer, RSM Adam Mohammed, said initial profiling of the suspects had revealed troubling recruitment patterns.

“We tried to run a profile of each and every one of them, and we realised that some of them had been lured into the country with the hope that they would be taken abroad,” he disclosed.

RSM Mohammed explained that investigations suggest the suspects may be part of a wider, layered operation that goes beyond those already in custody.

“Upon thorough interrogation and profiling, we realised that it’s a chain,” he said. “Those that we have arrested are basically about 45, but they are more than that.”

He added that security agencies are actively pursuing additional suspects believed to be connected to the same network.

“We are digging into getting the rest, and very soon, the assurance can be given to the general public that we will get hold of them,” RSM Mohammed stated.

The arrests have heightened public interest in the scale of foreign-linked crime in the region, but security officials have moved to allay fears, insisting that the situation remains under control and that residents are not under threat.

Authorities say the Northern Region continues to be safe, with intelligence-led operations ongoing to prevent criminal groups from gaining a foothold.

However, one of the suspects who spoke to JoyNews denied involvement in any criminal activity, insisting that the group was engaged in legitimate business.

“I don’t know why I was arrested. They just suddenly showed up on us,” the suspect claimed. “We sell products. We are not involved in a scam or any other criminal activity. We were just marketing our products.”

The suspect also rejected suggestions that the group’s multilingual communication raised red flags, arguing that it was purely for commercial reasons.

“Most of the people here don’t understand us, so we try to speak different languages so they understand what we are selling,” the suspect said. “Some speak French, others speak English.”

He added that his decision to come to Ghana was driven by business interests and a desire to learn English, noting that similar activities had been carried out in Côte d’Ivoire.

Meanwhile, National Security officials say investigations are ongoing and have cautioned the public against speculating on the outcome, stressing that all suspects will be dealt with in accordance with Ghana’s laws.