International
93 Nigerians Arrested in Ghana Over Alleged Cybercrime, 73 Trafficking Victims Rescued
Authorities in Ghana have arrested 93 Nigerian nationals in Accra over alleged involvement in cybercrime and human trafficking, while rescuing 73 other Nigerians who were reportedly subjected to abuse and exploitation.
According to the Ghana Immigration Service, the rescued victims have since been repatriated to Nigeria following the operation.
The arrests were carried out during a coordinated raid on six residences located within the DEVTRACO Estate, believed to be the operational base of a suspected criminal network engaged in internet fraud and the unlawful confinement of victims.
Officials disclosed that 91 men and two women were among those arrested and are currently facing charges related to cybercrime and violations of immigration laws.
Leading the operation was Newman Akuffo, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration with the GIS National Operations Unit, who confirmed that several items used in fraudulent activities were recovered during the raid.
Items seized by officers include 82 laptops, 57 mobile phones, 17 television sets, counterfeit U.S. dollars, and fake gold bars believed to have been used in online scam operations.
Akuffo said the operation demonstrated Ghana’s determination to dismantle criminal networks exploiting communities through cybercrime and human trafficking.
He further revealed that some of the suspects allegedly entered Ghana through unauthorized border routes, while others had overstayed the 90-day visa-free entry granted to Nigerian citizens.
The Comptroller-General of the Ghana Immigration Service warned that suspects found guilty could face prosecution under the country’s Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694), which criminalizes the recruitment, transportation, or harbouring of individuals for exploitation.
Under the law, offenders risk prison sentences ranging from five to 20 years, while cases involving children or other aggravating factors may attract life imprisonment.
Authorities also noted that violations of immigration regulations, including illegal entry or overstaying visas, could lead to fines or jail terms ranging from three months to two years.
The large-scale operation is being described as one of the biggest crackdowns on cybercrime and human trafficking networks in recent years, reflecting Ghana’s intensified efforts to curb criminal activities operating within residential areas.
The development comes amid growing scrutiny of Nigerians living abroad. Earlier this week, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) raised concerns over the detention of 42 Nigerians in Mozambique.
Chairman of the commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, described the incident as disturbing and warned against actions that could be perceived as xenophobic, noting that the detained Nigerians were reportedly not linked to any proven offence.
The arrests in Ghana and similar incidents in other countries highlight the increasing global crackdown on cybercrime and human trafficking, while also drawing attention to the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by Nigerians living overseas.
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has joined fellow foreign ministers from across the Commonwealth of Nations at the 26th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting held at Lancaster House.
The meeting focused on reviewing pressing global challenges and strengthening coordination among member states ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
This was confirmed in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the statement, ministers used the platform to discuss strategies for promoting peace, strengthening economic resilience, and advancing democratic governance across Commonwealth member countries.
The meeting also helped align positions and priorities in preparation for CHOGM, the Commonwealth’s highest consultative gathering.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is a biennial summit that brings together leaders from the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth to deliberate on global and regional issues, agree on collective policies, and strengthen cooperation among member states on development, security, trade, and governance.
Nigeria reiterated its commitment to active multilateral engagement and continued collaboration with other Commonwealth countries to promote shared growth and stability within the bloc.
A court in the Republic of Congo has sentenced the president of the country’s football federation, Jean-Guy Blaise Mayolas, to life imprisonment after he was found guilty in a major corruption and fraud case involving football development funds.
Mayolas, who headed the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), was convicted of several offences including embezzlement, money laundering and document forgery following months of investigation into financial irregularities within the federation.
Prosecutors said the case centred on the alleged diversion of about $1.3 million provided by FIFA for football development programmes in the country. Investigators told the court that the funds were channelled through fraudulent transactions and falsified financial records instead of being used for grassroots football projects and administrative development.
The court delivered the ruling after examining banking documents, internal federation records and testimony from investigators. Mayolas did not appear during the hearing and was sentenced in absentia, according to reports.
Authorities also handed life sentences to Mayolas’ wife and son, who were found to have participated in the scheme, while other federation officials received shorter prison terms for their roles in the financial misconduct.
The ruling marks one of the most significant corruption cases involving football administration in Central Africa and is expected to trigger reforms in the governance and oversight of football federations in the country.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has announced the largest release of emergency oil reserves in its history as global crude prices surge due to the escalating war involving Iran and disruptions to shipping routes in the Middle East.
The Paris-based energy watchdog said its 32 member countries will collectively release about 400 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves in an effort to stabilize global energy markets and ease supply shortages.
The unprecedented move comes after the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel disrupted oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage that normally carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply.
IEA officials said the coordinated release is intended to calm markets and offset the sharp supply losses triggered by attacks on vessels and heightened security risks in the Gulf region. The release is more than double the 182 million barrels released in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making it the agency’s largest emergency intervention since its creation in the 1970s.
Several countries have already begun tapping their reserves. Japan announced plans to release around 80 million barrels, while Germany and the United Kingdom are also expected to contribute significant volumes as part of the coordinated effort.
Despite the massive intervention, analysts say oil markets remain volatile as the ongoing conflict continues to threaten shipping lanes and energy infrastructure across the region. Oil prices have surged sharply since the outbreak of the war, raising fears of a prolonged global energy shock.