Police rescue 33 human trafficking victims, arrest 28 suspects in major anti-cybercrime, arms operations

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service has rescued 33 victims of human trafficking and arrested 28 suspects in a series of intelligence-led operations targeting cyber-enabled fraud, human trafficking, and illicit arms trafficking across the country.

The operations, conducted by the CID Headquarters in collaboration with the Tema Regional Police Command and other specialised units, also led to the seizure of dozens of laptops, mobile phones, internet devices, firearms, and ammunition believed to have been used in criminal activities.

Briefing the media in Accra, the Director-General of the Criminal Investigations Department, Commissioner of Police (COP) Lydia Yaako Donkor, said the operations underscore the Police Service’s resolve to dismantle organised criminal networks involved in cybercrime, human trafficking, and illegal arms trade.

She disclosed that the first operation, carried out by the Tema Regional Police Intelligence Directorate on July 3, 2026, at Mataheko-Afienya, resulted in the arrest of 10 suspects linked to internet-related fraudulent activities.

The suspects were identified as Collins Francis Olayi Ojo, Matthew Balogun, Jahid Bello, Abdul Rahman Nufizi, Talend Sinevi, Prey Morrison, Lawal Abdul Aziz, David Ogugona, Gift Prince, and Kingsley Honest.

According to COP Donkor, investigations revealed that Collins Francis Olayi Ojo coordinated the trafficking of nine Nigerian nationals into Ghana, where they were allegedly forced to engage in cyber-enabled fraudulent activities.

The nine victims were rescued and placed in a safe location, while police retrieved 28 laptop computers and nine mobile phones from the premises for forensic examination. Collins Francis Olayi Ojo has since been remanded into police custody by the Accra High Court as investigations continue.

In a separate intelligence-led operation at Fafa Community on July 7, 2026, police arrested 11 suspects involved in cybercrime activities.

A search of the premises led to the recovery of 14 laptop computers with accessories and 12 smartphones suspected to have been used in cybercrime operations.

COP Donkor said preliminary investigations established that six of the suspects were victims of human trafficking who had been lured from Nigeria under false pretences and exploited to commit cyber-enabled fraud.

The rescued victims received medical care, protection, and victim support before being repatriated to Nigeria.

She, however, noted that further investigations identified two of the supposed victims, Godstine Terry and Wilson Makuo, as key coordinators of the criminal syndicate, while another suspect identified only as Jerry remains on the run.
The suspects have been remanded into police custody pending further investigations.

The CID Director-General also announced the arrest of five Nigerian nationals at Kwabenya in Accra on July 12, 2026, in connection with human trafficking and cybercrime.

The suspects, Chigozi Azubuike, Edwin Onyema, Kingsley Nwanchukwu, Henry Ebuke, and Harrison Godwin, were arrested during a joint operation by the Cyber Crime Unit, Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, and CID Headquarters Operations Unit.

Police recovered 52 assorted mobile phones and several wireless internet devices believed to have been used in cybercrime activities.

Acting on intelligence that several young Nigerians had been trafficked into Ghana and forced into cybercrime, officers searched a three-bedroom apartment where they discovered 22 Nigerian nationals concealed in a locked room.

Investigations showed that 18 of them, aged between 15 and 24 years, were victims of human trafficking who had been instructed by suspect Chigozi Azubuike, described as their self-styled chairman, to hide from the police.

The victims have since been placed under the care of the appropriate authorities, while the five suspects have been remanded by the Accra Circuit Court to assist with investigations.

Turning to the Ashanti Region, COP Donkor announced the arrest of two suspects, Christopher Kupani, 63, and Kwabena Tawiah, 56, for the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms and ammunition.

She explained that the arrests followed months of intelligence gathering and surveillance by the CID Anti-Armed Robbery Unit after receiving information that the suspects had been supplying firearms to criminal elements across the country.

Christopher Kupani allegedly admitted to the offence during interrogation and identified Kwabena Tawiah as his supplier.

A subsequent search on Tawiah led to the recovery of five pistols, including Malik, Walther PK380, Smith & Wesson, Stoga STR Series, and Toros G2C firearms, together with several magazines, 100 rounds of live 9mm ammunition, and 20 rounds of .380 auto ammunition.

According to COP Donkor, Kwabena Tawiah confessed that he had been dealing in firearms without a licence for the past 10 years and had sold weapons to several clients across the country without proper documentation.

Both suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue to identify their accomplices and sources of supply.

COP Donkor warned that the illegal possession, sale, and trafficking of firearms remain serious criminal offences and assured the public that offenders would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

She expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno, for his leadership and commended officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and dedication.

She also thanked members of the public and the media for providing credible intelligence, revealing that the successful rescue of victims at Kwabenya was triggered by information received through the media after one of the victims managed to make contact.

She urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the emergency lines 191 or 18555, reiterating the Police Service’s “See Something, Say Something” campaign.