The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has announced that more than 90% of the 2,244 foreign nationals arrested in its ongoing operation to curb street begging are citizens of Niger.

In an official statement, the GIS revealed that 2,073 of those detained are Nigeriens. The rest include 138 Nigerians, 28 Burkinabes, one Guinean, and one Malian.

The special operation, which targets street begging and suspected criminal networks, includes mandatory profiling and security screening of all individuals arrested. Detainees are separated by gender and age in accordance with international human rights standards.

So far, 925 individuals—comprising 819 Nigeriens and 106 Nigerians—have been repatriated to their countries of origin. This followed temporary delays in the screening process last week.

Due to overcrowding at the holding facility, the GIS has temporarily paused arrests but assured the public that the operation will resume shortly.

The Service emphasized that detainees are receiving food and medical attention and reiterated its commitment to treating all migrants humanely and in line with international protocols.

“This special operation is being carried out in a humane manner that respects the rights of all migrants,” the GIS affirmed.