Ghana repatriates 120 Nigerians after Operation Cyberhunt

Ghanaian authorities have repatriated 120 Nigerian nationals following a major law enforcement initiative dubbed Operation Cyberhunt, which targeted sophisticated cybercrime syndicates and human trafficking rings. Led by the Minister of Communications, Samuel Nartey George, the operation successfully dismantled syndicates that trafficked victims to facilitate illicit digital activities. This crackdown highlights the increasing overlap between human trafficking and digital fraud in West Africa.

The operation was part of a broader international collaboration involving the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency (NCA), which focused on disrupting criminal infrastructure affecting victims globally. The joint effort, involving over 100 participants from international law enforcement and technology firms, resulted in the removal of 3.7 million fraudulent online accounts and profiles. Almost 30 suspected scammers were arrested during the exercise, which primarily focused on hubs in Ghana and Nigeria.

During the raids in Ghana, law enforcement officials seized numerous digital devices and vehicles linked to the syndicates. Investigations revealed that these criminal groups often coerced trafficked individuals into operating fraudulent accounts to target victims in the UK and beyond. The removal of the online profiles is expected to significantly disrupt the ability of these groups to conduct large-scale scams.

The successful repatriation of the 120 individuals underscores the importance of cross-border security cooperation between Ghana and its regional neighbors. While the immediate syndicates have been dismantled, authorities indicated that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of these networks. Officials emphasized that continued collaboration is essential to protecting regional security and addressing the evolving threats of cybercrime and human trafficking.