The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, who said the coordinated operation was carried out to protect Ghana’s cyber space and international digital reputation.
Fifty-three (53) Nigerian nationals have been arrested in Ghana following a major intelligence-led operation targeting suspected cybercrime centres across multiple communities in the Greater Accra Region.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, who said the coordinated operation was carried out to protect Ghana’s cyber space and international digital reputation.
According to the statement, intelligence gathered over the last 48 hours by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) of Ghana uncovered several locations allegedly being used as cybercrime hubs in East Legon Hills, Afienya, Kwabenya, Weija, and Tuba.
The intelligence further revealed that young men, mostly foreign nationals, were being exploited, coerced and forced by alleged kingpins to engage in various cybercrime activities at these locations.
Acting on the CSA-led intelligence, a joint security team comprising operatives from National Security Operations, the Cyber Security Authority, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, and the Ghana Police Service SWAT Unit conducted simultaneous operations at the identified locations on January 16 and 17, 2026.
During the operations, nine (9) Nigerian nationals were arrested as principal suspects allegedly linked to the coordination and execution of the cybercrime activities.
In addition, forty-four (44) other Nigerian nationals, believed to be victims of human trafficking and cybercrime exploitation, were rescued from their respective apartments.
The minister disclosed that the rescued individuals were found operating laptop computers in different apartments, suggesting a structured and organised cybercrime network operating across the targeted communities.
Searches conducted in the apartments led to the recovery of several items suspected to have been used in the commission of cyber-related offences.
Meanwhile, items recovered include fifty-two (52) assorted mobile phones, sixty-two (62) laptop computers, and two (2) pump-action guns.
A breakdown of the arrests across the affected locations shows that five (5) Nigerian nationals were arrested in East Legon Hills, eleven (11) in Afienya, ten (10) in Kwabenya, ten (10) in Weija, and seventeen (17) in Tuba, bringing the total number of arrested individuals to fifty-three (53).
Samuel Nartey George stated that all the arrested individuals have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and further investigations.
He also warned foreign nationals invited to Ghana to be cautious and to verify claims made by fellow nationals who lure them into the country under false pretences, particularly promises linked to jobs or quick financial opportunities.
The minister further disclosed that some individuals arrested in previous similar operations have already been profiled by the Ghana Immigration Service in collaboration with INTERPOL and successfully handed over to Nigerian law enforcement operatives at the Seme border.
Others, he said, are currently facing criminal prosecution before Ghanaian courts.
The statement read, "All the arrested individuals have been duly profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for safekeeping and further investigations. We caution foreign nationals invited to Ghana to verify claims made by their fellow nationals to lure them here.
"Some individuals picked up in the previous operations have been profiled by the Ghana Immigration Service and INTERPOL and successfully handed over to Nigerian law enforcement operatives at the Seme border. Others are currently facing criminal prosecution before the law courts.
"Protecting Ghana's cyber image internationally is non-negotiable. Kudos to the CSA team and our partner law enforcement agencies."