Nigeria brings home 105 citizens found in Ghana cybercrime raids
The anti-trafficking agency says each returnee will be assessed. It has not said how many were victims and how many were willing participants.
Abuja — Nigeria has repatriated 105 of its citizens who were found during an operation against cybercrime syndicates in Ghana, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has said, Premium Times reports.
Ghanaian authorities found 119 Nigerians in all. The remaining 14 are still being processed.
How it came about
The operation was coordinated by the office of Nigeria's national security adviser after Ghana's Cyber Security Authority made contact. Nigeria's immigration service, intelligence agencies, refugee commission and high commission in Accra were involved. The agency also thanked Ghana's immigration service and the United Kingdom's National Crime Agency, which gave operational support.
What happens to them
The agency's director-general, Binta Bello, received the group on behalf of the government. She assured them of their safety and said each would be profiled to establish their circumstances and what help they need before being reintegrated.
The statement does not say whether any of the 105 have been identified as victims of trafficking, or whether any were forced to take part in online fraud.
The warning
The agency urged Nigerians to be wary of offers of jobs, scholarships and other opportunities abroad, particularly those with unrealistic promises, vague job descriptions or suspicious recruitment arrangements.
This report is based on reporting by Premium Times.
