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The Ghana Immigration Service has arrested 93 Nigerian nationals over alleged involvement in internet fraud and violations of the country’s immigration laws, in what appears to be the latest in a series of crackdowns on cybercrime networks operating in the West African nation.
In a statement issued on Monday by GIS spokesperson Maud Anima Quainoo, the service said the arrests followed an intelligence-led raid on a suspected internet fraud network operating at Devtraco Estate in Accra. The suspects comprise 91 males and two females.
Crucially, the operation also led to the rescue of 73 victims who had reportedly endured severe abuse and torture at the hands of the suspects. The rescued individuals have since been repatriated to Nigeria, the statement confirmed.
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Items recovered from the premises painted a picture of a sophisticated criminal enterprise. Authorities seized 82 laptops, 57 mobile phones, 17 television sets, counterfeit US dollar notes, and fake gold bars, alongside several household appliances believed to have been used to support the fraudulent operations.
Preliminary investigations indicate that some of the suspects entered Ghana through unauthorised border crossings, while others allegedly overstayed the 90-day visa-free period available to citizens of the Economic Community of West African States member countries.
The GIS said investigations are continuing at its headquarters to determine the full scale of the criminal network, and urged all foreign nationals in Ghana to comply with the country’s immigration and criminal laws.
Monday’s arrests are part of a troubling pattern of similar operations targeting Nigerian nationals in Ghana. In January, the Ghana Police Service arrested 53 Nigerians allegedly involved in cybercrime and rescued 44 suspected victims of forced labour. In separate operations last December, authorities arrested approximately 78 Nigerians linked to cybercrime activities.
The recurring nature of such operations has raised questions about the scale of cross-border criminal networks exploiting Ghana as a base of operations, as well as the adequacy of existing border management frameworks within the ECOWAS region.
In other news Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Disu, has approved the appointment of DCP Anthony Okon Placid as the new Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO.
Placid is described as seasoned officer of the Nigeria Police Force with extensive experience in administration, operations, intelligence, training, and international peacekeeping.
Born on 2 December 1970, he hails from Mbiokporo Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Uyo, and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy (M.A.L.D) from the University of Jos.
He was recruited into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Police Academy, Kano, in 1996, and was commissioned in August 1998.
He has attended several professional and international courses, including United Nations Peace Operations Specialised Training (POST), with certifications as expert in Police Studies, Military Studies, Gender Awareness, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights, and Civilian Protection.
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DCP Placid has served in various strategic capacities within and outside the country, including Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Adamawa State; Police Staff College, Jos; Chief of Training, African Union Mission in Sudan; Head of Training and Development, United Nations Mission in Darfur; Divisional Police Officer in Federal Housing Calabar, Bakassi, Uruan, and Gembu; Officer-in-Charge, Anti-Robbery Unit, Kaduna State; African Union Election Security Adviser; Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) in Akwa Ibom and Kogi states.
He equally served as Assistant Commissioner of Police, Intelligence Department, Abia State, and Deputy in charge of Administration and Finance, Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola.
Placid is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, IACP, Commonwealth Human Rights Trainer and International Committee of the Red Cross, ICRC, Trainer on International Humanitarian Law.
He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Course, SEC 47, of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, and was inducted as a Member of the National Institute, mni, on 13 December 2025, prior to his redeployment to Cross River State.
He is happily married with children.
His hobbies include listening to good music, playing football, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and engaging with people.
DCP Placid can be reached on 07031179186.
He takes over from ACP Benjamin Hundeyin.
No official reason has been given for Hundeyin’s removal. His new posting has also not been disclosed.
