The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has taken custody of 105 Nigerians rescued from cybercrime syndicates operating in Ghana.

The returnees are part of 119 Nigerians freed during a joint operation by Ghanaian security agencies. Fourteen others are still being processed for repatriation.

NAPTIP spokesperson, Vincent Adekoye, said in a statement on Monday that the operation was coordinated by Nigeria’s Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) after Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority contacted Nigerian authorities.

NAPTIP led the Nigerian delegation that included the Nigeria Immigration Service, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, who received the returnees on behalf of the Federal Government, assured them of safety and said officials would profile them and provide support and reintegration services.

The agency commended Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority and Immigration Service, as well as the UK National Crime Agency (NCA) for operational support, and thanked ONSA and other Nigerian agencies for collaboration.

NAPTIP noted that the rescue highlights the growing trend of trafficking persons into online scam centres under false job offers, where victims are coerced into internet fraud.

The agency warned Nigerians to be cautious of overseas job and scholarship offers with unrealistic pay, vague job descriptions or suspicious recruitment processes.

It said screening is ongoing to determine whether the returnees were victims of trafficking or willing participants, which will inform protection and investigative actions.