Ghanian Police nabs 8 Nigerians in crackdown on drug peddlers, violent crimes

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Ghana Police Service has listed eight Nigerians among 74 suspects recently arrested by its operatives in crackdown on narcotics peddling, violent crime, and other criminal activities in the Upper East Region of the country.

The Police service in a statement posted on its social media handles on Monday said the suspects were arrested by in two separate intelligence-led operations by the Special Operations Team of the Inspector General of Police.

According to the statement, the eight Nigerians were among 40 suspects in one of the operations conducted on 20th May 2026 at Paga within the Ghana-Burkina Faso border buffer zone.

“The operation resulted in the arrest of 40 suspects, comprising 28 males and 12 females. The suspects include 23 Ghanaians, 8 Nigerians, 6 Burkinabés, 1 Malian, and 1 Togolese national.

“Exhibits recovered include parcels and sacks of suspected narcotic substances, as well as five motorbikes believed to have been used for distribution,” the Police Service said.

The Police Service said the second intelligence-led swoop operation was carried out on 22nd May 2026at identified criminal hotspots within the Navrongo Municipality, including the Condemned Road Corridor, “After Six” Spot, and “Lighter Inn” Spot.

It said the operation resulted in the arrest of 34 suspects, made up of 32 males and 2 females while 11 motorbikes, quantities of suspected narcotic substances, and assorted foreign cigarettes were recovered.

The Police Service said the suspects arraigned before High Court Two, presided over by Justice Ernest Pascal Gemadzie on the same date.

The court, it said remanded 16 of the suspects in Police custody to reappear before the court on 4th June 2026.

The Police Serice said the remaining 22 suspects are currently being profiled for further action.

“All the suspects remain in Police custody assisting investigations, while efforts continue to identify and arrest other persons connected to criminal activities within the affected areas,” the police service concluded.