Security expert, Richard Kumadoe has warned that the increasing presence of organized cybercrime networks in Ghana is damaging the country’s image and turning it into a high-risk destination, following the arrest of 53 Nigerian nationals in a major security operation in the Greater Accra Region.
Reacting to the development, Mr Kumadoe said the frequent cybercrime-related arrests point to a worrying trend that reflects poorly on Ghana’s international reputation. “It’s painting Ghana badly. It’s creating a bad image for us and making the country a high-risk destination,” he stated, adding that while recent operations may suggest improved efficiency by security agencies, they also indicate that cybercrime activities are expanding rapidly.
He described cybercrime as a transnational offence and questioned existing regional travel arrangements that allow easy movement across borders. According to him, if the situation continues to escalate, authorities may be compelled to review such protocols. “It’s a cross-border crime, but we have signed protocols that allow people to come in from those countries. If it’s becoming a problem, then we might have to look at those protocols again,” he said.
Mr Kumadoe also stressed the need for a balanced approach in dealing with suspects, noting that some individuals involved in cybercrime operations are themselves victims. “Within the cybercrime space, you can be both a perpetrator and a victim,” he explained. However, he insisted that ringleaders and hardened criminals must face prosecution rather than deportation.
“For the criminals themselves, law enforcement must go hard on them. They must not just be arrested; they must be prosecuted. If you deport them without a structured protocol with the host nation, they will come back or recruit many more people and bring them here again,” he warned.
The security expert further called for stronger diplomatic engagement, saying the Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana should be formally engaged to address the situation. “I was expecting the Nigerian Ambassador to Ghana would have been called for a meeting so he would understand the damage some of his countrymen and women are causing and the bad image they are creating for us,” he said, adding that firm action must be taken to avoid future blame. “Otherwise, they are becoming a nuisance, and their presence here is becoming more unproductive than we anticipated.”
His comments follow a joint security operation led by the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), which resulted in the arrest of 53 Nigerian nationals and the rescue of 44 suspected victims from alleged cybercrime centres operating in parts of the Greater Accra Region.
The operation, conducted on January 16 and 17, 2026, was based on intelligence gathered by the CSA pointing to organised cybercrime networks allegedly exploiting young men for online fraud activities in East Legon Hills, Afienya, Kwabenya, Weija and Tuba.
Announcing the arrests in a Facebook post on Sunday, January 18, the Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, disclosed that nine of those arrested are suspected ringleaders, while the remaining 44 are believed to be victims who were rescued from apartments where they were found operating laptop computers.
According to the Minister, the operation involved officers from National Security Operations, the Cyber Security Authority, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, and the National Police SWAT Unit. Searches at the various locations led to the retrieval of 52 assorted mobile phones, 62 laptop computers and two pump-action guns.
The arrests were made across five locations, with five suspects picked up at East Legon Hills, 11 at Afienya, 10 at Kwabenya, 10 at Weija and 17 at Tuba. All suspects have since been profiled and handed over to the Ghana Immigration Service for custody and further investigations.
