Ghana Police CID Dismantles Major Cybercrime and Trafficking Syndicate Across Tema and Accra; 28 Arrested

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has conducted a series of coordinated operations across the Greater Accra Region, resulting in the arrest of 28 suspects and the rescue of 33 human trafficking victims. Led by CID Director-General Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, the operations targeted organized crime rings operating in Tema and Accra that trafficked young Nigerian nationals to Ghana under false pretenses to engage in internet fraud. The crackdown has uncovered a sophisticated network where some individuals initially believed to be victims were actually revealed to be key coordinators of the criminal activities.

In the Tema region, the police conducted two significant raids. In the Fafa Community, 11 suspects were apprehended. While six victims were rescued, investigations revealed that two individuals, Godstine Terry and Wilson Makuo, who were originally thought to be victims, were actually managing the cybercrime syndicate. Simultaneously, an operation at Mataheko-Afienya led to the arrest of 10 suspects, including the alleged group leader, Collins Francis Olayi Ojo. Authorities in Afienya rescued nine Nigerian nationals who were being forced into fraudulent activities. During these raids, police seized a total of 42 laptops and 21 mobile phones, which have been sent for forensic examination to aid further prosecution.

In a separate but related operation in Kwabenya, Accra, the CID arrested five additional suspects and rescued 18 victims between the ages of 15 and 24. These victims were found to be living under restrictive conditions and were being coerced into cyber-enabled crimes. The suspects from this raid were arraigned on July 16, 2026, and have been remanded into custody. Meanwhile, the police are still searching for a key facilitator known only as "Jerry," who is believed to have orchestrated the illegal movement of the victims from Nigeria to Ghana.

COP Lydia Yaako Donkor emphasized that these operations are part of a broader intelligence-led campaign to eradicate cyber-enabled fraud and human trafficking in the country. The Ghana Police Service has urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities within their neighborhoods to help dismantle similar syndicates. All arrested suspects remain in custody as the CID continues its forensic analysis of seized electronic devices and follows leads to apprehend remaining members of the criminal network.