Crime and Investigation
PHOTOS: EOCO arrests 219 foreign nationals in major cybercrime and human trafficking bust
The Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in collaboration with National Security, the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID), and the Ghana Armed Forces, has arrested 219 foreign nationals in a major operation targeting cybercrime and human trafficking networks in Accra.
Dubbed “Operation Rescue Shield,” the swoop was carried out at an estate in Oyarifa, in the Ga East Municipality of the Greater Accra Region. The operation follows the EOCO/NCA UK Reporting Fraud Campaign launched on March 5, 2025, and marks a significant step in Ghana’s efforts to clamp down on transnational organised crime.
Most of the suspects are young Nigerian males who were reportedly lured into Ghana with false promises of lucrative job opportunities, only to be coerced into illegal cyber activities upon arrival. “Unfortunately, since there are no lucrative jobs existing, they took them hostages and confined them at Oyarifa and were forced to go into cybercrime and cybercrime-related activities,” said Acting Executive Director of EOCO, Abdulai Bashiru Dapilah, during a press briefing last Thursday.
He confirmed that 11 of the individuals rescued during the raid were minors, and screening at EOCO’s offices revealed that 35 of the suspects were directly involved in trafficking the victims.
Items retrieved from the site included laptops, personal belongings, and foodstuff, believed to have been used to support the illegal operations. Mr Dapilah described the development as “a major breakthrough in the fight against human trafficking.”
The Nigerian High Commission has since visited EOCO’s premises and engaged with both the victims and suspects. According to Mr Dapilah, “Screening is ongoing and by tomorrow we should be able to complete the screening and be possible to link and make arrangements to send the victims back to their home countries.”
He added that EOCO, in conjunction with the CID, is pursuing leads uncovered during the operation and plans to intensify coordinated efforts to dismantle similar trafficking syndicates operating across the region.
This latest bust underscores growing concerns over the rise in organised human trafficking networks operating under the guise of job recruitment, often preying on vulnerable youth across West Africa. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious recruitment schemes, especially those targeting unemployed youth with promises of overseas or high-paying local jobs.
Source: Graphic Online
The Ghana Police Service has arrested Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Kwame Baffoe, popularly known as Abronye, for what they describe as offensive conduct likely to disturb public peace.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 8, the Police confirmed that Abronye was taken into custody earlier in the day and is currently being held. He is expected to be arraigned before court in the coming days.
Although the statement did not provide details of the incident that triggered his arrest, Abronye has in recent weeks drawn public attention after filing asylum applications in eight countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Canada, Spain, Germany, and Côte d’Ivoire — citing political persecution and threats to his life.
Meanwhile, Police investigations linked to Abronye also prompted a search of the residence of former NPP Youth Organiser, Moses Abor, on Sunday. However, Mr. Abor was not found during the operation.
Crime and Investigation
Two Women Granted GH¢100,000 Bail Each Over Offensive TikTok Comments About President Mahama
Two women facing charges for making abusive remarks against former President John Dramani Mahama following the August 6 helicopter crash have been granted bail.
The Adenta Circuit Court admitted Priscilla Duah Birago, a 29-year-old National Service Person, and Charity Dede Tetteh, a 29-year-old beautician, to bail in the sum of GH¢100,000 each with two sureties, one of which must be justified with property.
Both pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime with offensive conduct, and offensive conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
The prosecution alleged that during a TikTok live session, the accused stated: “We would have been happier if the President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, was involved in the helicopter crash and dwarfs had eaten him up. A lot of people are dying under his tenure of office.” The remarks were later shared on Birago’s TikTok account, under the name “Abena Birago.”
Presiding judge Mrs. Angela Attache cautioned the accused to avoid further trouble, stressing the sensitive nature of the case.
A legal team led by Mr. Enoch Anhwere Afoakwa represented the accused, while Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo prosecuted. The prosecution also revealed that investigators are seeking a High Court order to access the accused persons’ mobile phones, though they did not oppose the bail request.
The matter has been adjourned to November 5, 2025, with forensic evidence of the live-stream already secured for trial.
Crime and Investigation
Chinese National and Ghanaian Arrested in Akwatia for Illegal Possession of Ammunition
Police in Akwatia have arrested two men, including a Chinese national, for allegedly possessing ammunition without authorization.
The suspects, 32-year-old Enoch Asiedu and 58-year-old Lu Youyan, were intercepted around 9 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Boadua Livingstone snap checkpoint during a routine police patrol.
According to police reports, the two were travelling in a Toyota Hilux pickup when officers conducted a search and discovered four live BB cartridges inside the vehicle. The suspects were immediately taken to the Akwatia Police Station along with the seized ammunition.
During interrogation, Asiedu claimed the cartridges belonged to their employer, identified only as Mohammed, who is said to own the pickup. Police have since launched efforts to locate Mohammed for questioning.
Both men are currently in police custody as investigations continue.
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