The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has received 105 Nigerians rescued during a coordinated operation targeting cybercrime syndicates in Ghana.
The agency’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Vincent Adekoye, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, October 12, 2026, explaining that the operation was coordinated by Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) following contact from Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority.
According to NAPTIP, Ghanaian authorities rescued 119 Nigerians during the operation. Of this number, 105 have been repatriated to Nigeria, while arrangements are ongoing to return the remaining 14.
The operation involved several Nigerian security and law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency and the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons. The Nigerian High Commission in Ghana and other partners also participated.
Receiving the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government, NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Lami Adamu Bello, assured them of their safety and urged them to remain calm while authorities carry out profiling and reintegration procedures.
The agency said the process would help determine the individual circumstances of the returnees and identify the support and assistance they require. However, it did not disclose the specific circumstances under which the Nigerians were recruited or rescued, or whether they were forced to participate in cybercrime activities.
NAPTIP commended the Ghanaian authorities, particularly the Cyber Security Authority and Ghana Immigration Service, as well as the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency, for their support during the operation.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation against human trafficking and related forms of exploitation. It also urged Nigerians to exercise caution when considering overseas employment, scholarships and other opportunities, particularly offers involving unrealistic promises, vague job descriptions or suspicious recruitment arrangements.
