African Nationals Deported from Ghana’s Ashanti Region Amidst Immigration Law Enforcement
The Ashanti Region of Ghana has seen a significant number of foreign nationals deported following court rulings related to various criminal activities. The latest figures reveal that 42 Nigerian nationals were expelled from the region, alongside 13 from Cameroon, three from Ivory Coast, three from Burkina Faso, and seven from Benin. This brings the total number of African nationals deported to 68.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Frank Amoakohene, announced the deportations, citing court decisions that addressed offences including involvement with the Q-Net scheme, prostitution, and other criminal enterprises. These actions underscore Ghana’s commitment to enforcing its immigration laws and maintaining public safety.
Minister Amoakohene expressed his commendation for the Ghana Immigration Service, highlighting their professionalism, diligence, and unwavering commitment to upholding immigration laws. He further emphasized that their operations were conducted with due process and respect for human dignity. The minister also acknowledged the crucial collaboration between the Immigration Service, the judiciary, and other security agencies, which he stated has been instrumental in bolstering regional security, protecting vulnerable individuals, and preserving law and order.
The deportations of Nigerian nationals, in particular, occur against a backdrop of increasing reports of heightened scrutiny and large-scale arrests of Nigerians in various countries.
International Crackdowns on Criminal Networks
In a separate but related development, late November witnessed a significant crackdown in India, where no fewer than 50 Nigerian nationals were apprehended. This operation was part of one of India’s most extensive coordinated efforts to dismantle a transnational narcotics network.
The arrested individuals are suspected of having ties to an extensive drug distribution and hawala money-laundering syndicate. This syndicate reportedly operated across multiple major cities in India, highlighting the cross-border nature of these criminal activities.
The operation, as reported by Indian news agency NDTV, was a joint effort spearheaded by the Delhi Police in partnership with the Telangana Police’s EAGLE unit. This collaboration was the culmination of months of meticulous intelligence gathering.
The intelligence gathered paved the way for coordinated raids conducted simultaneously across Delhi over several days. These raids were successful in disrupting key components of a cartel engaged in the trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine throughout India. The effectiveness of such international cooperation in combating organized crime and illicit activities remains a critical focus for law enforcement agencies worldwide.
