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A major crackdown led by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in partnership with the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service and the Ghana Armed Forces, has resulted in the arrest of 219 individuals suspected of involvement in human trafficking and cybercrime activities across West Africa.
Dubbed “Operation Rescue Shield,” the intelligence-led mission targeted organized criminal networks involved in trafficking and online fraud. The suspects, made up of Nigerians and Ghanaians aged between 15 and 38, included eleven minors, seven females, and 212 males.
At a press briefing on Thursday, April 17, EOCO’s Acting Executive Director, Abdul Bashiru Dapilah, provided details of the operation, which took place at Isak Estates in Oyarifa. According to him, the victims were deceived with promises of well-paying jobs in Ghana, only to be held captive and forced into cybercrime operations.
“The operation was successful, and 219 people were arrested at Isak estates in Oyarifa. The victims were lured into the country by the suspects ostensibly to give them lucrative jobs in Ghana,” he stated.
“Unfortunately, when they came to Ghana, since there were no lucrative jobs existing then, they took them hostage and confined them at the Oyarifa estate and were forced to go into cybercrimes and cybercrime-related activities,” he further explained.
Dapilah stressed the need for collaboration among countries in the region to effectively tackle such cross-border crimes. He also reaffirmed EOCO’s dedication to dismantling these illicit networks and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
During the operation, authorities seized various items, including laptops, internet gadgets, and personal belongings, which are believed to be tools used in the commission of cybercrime. The group of victims included both Ghanaians and Nigerians.
Investigations are currently underway to identify the masterminds behind the trafficking syndicate. Meanwhile, the process of screening is ongoing to distinguish between the victims, suspects, and juveniles.
“We are thinking that come what may, by tomorrow [April 18], we should be able to complete the screening, then barring any unforeseen circumstances, we should be able to make arrangements for the victims to be sent back to Nigeria to connect with their families,” Dapilah added.
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