Police arrest 11 in Tema over alleged cybercrime and human trafficking syndicate

Police in Ghana say they have arrested 11 people suspected of belonging to a cybercrime syndicate after an intelligence-led operation in Tema uncovered what investigators describe as a network combining internet fraud with human trafficking.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) said six Nigerian nationals initially believed to be suspects were instead identified as victims of human trafficking, while two men previously thought to be victims have now emerged as alleged coordinators of the criminal operation.

The arrests form part of a broader nationwide crackdown on cyber-enabled fraud and human trafficking that has led to multiple raids, the rescue of dozens of victims and the seizure of electronic devices for forensic analysis.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, CID Director-General Commissioner of Police Lydia Yaako Donkor said officers carried out the operation at Fafa Community in Tema after receiving intelligence about suspected cybercrime activities.

She identified the two alleged coordinators as Godstine Terry, 34, and Wilson Makuo, 21.

"They were initially considered victims of human trafficking," COP Donkor said. "However, further investigations established that they were allegedly coordinating the activities of the syndicate."

According to police, another suspect known only as Jerry, who is believed to have facilitated the movement of victims from Nigeria into Ghana, remains on the run.

The suspects have appeared before a Circuit Court and were remanded into police custody while investigations continue.

Police said laptops, mobile phones and other electronic devices recovered during the operation have been handed to the CID's Cybercrime Unit for digital forensic examination.

More victims rescued in separate raids

The Tema operation was one of three major intelligence-led operations announced by the CID.

In Mataheko, Afienya, police arrested 10 suspects after uncovering an apartment allegedly being used as a base for internet fraud.

Investigators say the alleged leader, Collins Francis Olayi Ojo, recruited and transported nine Nigerian nationals into Ghana by road before allegedly forcing them to participate in online fraud schemes.

Police said all nine were identified as victims of human trafficking and have since been rescued and placed in a safe location.

Officers also seized 28 laptop computers and nine mobile phones, which are undergoing forensic examination.

Locked room discovery

In a separate operation at Kwabenya, officers rescued 22 young Nigerian nationals after forcing open a locked bedroom inside a house where they were allegedly being held.

Police said 18 of those rescued, aged between 15 and 24, were confirmed as victims of human trafficking.

Five suspects were arrested during the operation.

Among them was Chigozi Azubuike, whom investigators described as the group's self-styled chairman. Police allege he instructed the victims to hide from officers during the raid.

The suspects have also been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court pending further investigations.

Media tip-off led to rescue

COP Donkor said one of the rescues was made possible after a trafficking victim contacted a local media organisation, The1957News, which alerted the police.

She praised the collaboration between journalists and law enforcement, saying it demonstrated the important role the media can play in exposing trafficking networks and helping vulnerable victims.

She also urged the public to support the Ghana Police Service's "See Something, Say Something" campaign by reporting suspicious activities.

The latest arrests come as Ghanaian authorities intensify efforts to dismantle organised criminal networks involved in cyber-enabled fraud, human trafficking and cross-border crime, with investigators indicating that more arrests could follow as digital forensic examinations continue.