In a disturbing incident, eight Nigerian nationals have been apprehended by the Ghanaian police for allegedly assaulting a 21-year-old man, Godstime Umukoro, as part of an initiation into an internet fraud scheme. The arrests took place in Kotokrom, a suburb of the Sunyani West Municipality in the Bono Region of Ghana.

The police responded to a distress call on October 4, 2026, reporting a group assaulting a man. Upon arrival, officers found Umukoro with visible injuries, prompting them to arrest the eight suspects at the scene. The individuals have been identified as Peter Mbam (24), Godwin Moses (26), Humble Oweifah (18), Osas Ogbemudia (30), Samuel Aisosa (22), Ashile Godbess (24), Alexander Uyuo (30), and Patrick Romans (25).

According to a statement from the Bono Regional Police Command, the suspects claimed that the violent initiation was a rite of passage they had also undergone before joining the internet fraud business. Investigations revealed that the group was allegedly involved in a broader scheme led by a man identified as Nwachukwu King Augustine, who is described as their chairman.

The suspects reportedly engaged in deceptive practices by using downloaded images of foreign military personnel to lure unsuspecting victims online. They posed as military members stationed in Yemen, initiating conversations to extract money from their targets. The funds collected from these fraudulent activities were allegedly funneled into Augustine's account.

The police have praised the community for their quick response, which led to the timely arrest of the suspects. They have also reassured residents of their commitment to working alongside the public to combat crime in the region. As of now, it remains unclear whether the suspects have been formally charged in court, as the investigation continues to unfold.