The Ghanaian government has arrested 32 Nigerian nationals living in the country over alleged involvement in cyber fraud, intensifying its crackdown on digital crimes linked to foreign syndicates.
The arrests were confirmed by Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam George, who disclosed that the suspects were operating a coordinated romance scam network. Writing on X, the minister said the operation marked another decisive step in the country’s widening campaign against cybercrime.
According to him, operatives of the Ghana Cyber Security Authority, working jointly with National Security, carried out the intelligence-led raid in the early hours of Saturday at Kasoa Tuba, a town in the northern part of the country. He described the operation as a significant blow to organised cyber fraud groups using Ghana as a base for online scams.
“This dawn, another massive blow has been struck against cybercrime in Ghana,” George said, adding that the suspects were arrested while actively running a romance scam syndicate. He stressed that the government remains determined to ensure Ghana does not become a safe haven for cybercriminals.
The minister noted that items recovered from the suspects would be subjected to forensic analysis as investigations continue. He reaffirmed government support for the Cyber Security Authority, saying sustained enforcement is central to protecting Ghana’s digital space and international reputation.
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The latest arrests add to a growing list of Nigerian nationals detained in Ghana in recent months over cyber-related offences. In November, operatives of the Economic and Organised Crime Office arrested seven Nigerians in Accra for alleged cyber fraud. Three months earlier, about 50 Nigerians were apprehended following intelligence reports pointing to suspected cybercrime and human trafficking activities.
Those arrested are typically prosecuted under Ghanaian law. In October, a Nigerian identified as Jacob Sunday was sentenced to 24 months in prison by the Madina District Court after being prosecuted by the Ghana Immigration Service for unlawful entry and cybercrime-related offences. In September, three Nigerians convicted of theft received a combined prison sentence of 96 years.
Despite these incidents, Nigeria and Ghana maintain long-standing diplomatic and economic ties as members of the Economic Community of West African States. Both countries have repeatedly pledged cooperation in combating cybercrime, which remains a growing challenge across the region.
