Codenamed Operation Rescue Shield, the Tuesday raid at an Oyarifa estate in Accra’s Ga East Municipality marks one of the largest coordinated busts in recent years, involving collaboration between EOCO, the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Department, National Security, and the Ghana Armed Forces.

Acting EOCO Executive Director Abdulai Bashiru Dapilah disclosed that most detainees are young Nigerian men trafficked under false promises of lucrative employment. Upon arrival in Ghana, victims were allegedly confined and coerced into cybercrime activities. “They were held hostage and forced into cybercrime due to the absence of genuine job opportunities,” Dapilah stated during a Thursday press briefing. Among those rescued were 11 minors, while 35 suspects face direct trafficking charges.

Authorities seized laptops, mobile devices, and personal items during the operation, part of a broader EOCO/NCA UK Reporting Fraud Campaign launched in March 2025 to combat organized crime. The Nigerian High Commission has initiated engagements with suspects and victims, with repatriation processes underway for trafficked individuals.

The crackdown underscores escalating concerns over West Africa’s role in global cybercrime, particularly recruitment scams exploiting vulnerable youth. Ghanaian officials warned the public to scrutinize job offers abroad, emphasizing promises of high pay as potential red flags. Investigators continue pursuing leads to dismantle linked networks, signaling intensified regional efforts to address trafficking and cyber fraud.

This operation highlights the dual challenge of curbing transnational crime while protecting victims ensnared in deceptive schemes. As cross-border criminal tactics evolve, the case amplifies calls for stronger international cooperation and public vigilance to disrupt trafficking pipelines and cybercrime infrastructure proliferating across the region.