Ghana continues crackdown on Nigerians, arrests 48 days after deporting 42 others

Ghanaian security agencies have arrested at least 48 Nigerians over alleged involvement in romance scams, online investment fraud and other cybercrime-related offences.

The arrests were carried out during a coordinated security operation in Dawhenya, within the Ningo-Prampram constituency.

The operation came less than a week after Ghana deported 42 Nigerians from the Ashanti region over alleged prostitution, fraud and related crimes.

The earlier deportations were disclosed by Frank Amoakohene, Ashanti regional minister, in a Facebook post on December 18, 2025.

Samuel George, Ghana’s minister for communication, said the latest arrests followed a nighttime raid by joint security agencies acting on actionable cyber intelligence.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, George said the operation was led by the Cyber Security Authority of Ghana in collaboration with National Security and the Ghana Police Service.

“A nighttime operation led by the Cyber Security Authority Ghana, in collaboration with National Security and the Ghana Police Service, has resulted in the arrest of 48 suspected cybercrime operatives during a coordinated, intelligence-led operation in the Dawhenya area of the Ningo-Prampram Constituency,” he said.

George said preliminary interrogation showed that the suspects are Nigerian nationals, comprising 46 males and two females.

He said investigations linked the suspects to romance scams, online investment fraud, impersonation schemes and illicit online gold trading.

Security operatives recovered items allegedly used in carrying out the crimes during the raid. The items included 54 laptops, 39 mobile phones, one Starlink internet device and eight MTN TurboNet routers.

“The suspects are linked to a range of cyber-related criminal activities, including romance scams, online investment fraud, impersonation schemes and illicit online gold trading.

“Items retrieved during the operation included 54 laptops, 39 mobile phones, one Starlink internet device and eight MTN TurboNet routers,” George added.

He said the suspects are currently in custody and will be handed over to relevant authorities for further investigation and possible prosecution under Ghanaian law.