Interpol Arrests Nigerian Black Axe Members

Interpol has cracked down on criminal networks across 22 countries.

The crackdown targeted West African organized crime syndicates, including the notorious Black Axe Group, which led to the identification of 263 suspected members and the arrest of 58 persons across 22 countries.

In a statement on Tuesday, 25th August, Interpol made this known on its website.

The International Agency: International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) noted that the operation with codename “Operation Jackal IV” was carried out between November 2025 and June 2026.

Interpol stated that the operation involved law enforcement agencies from 22 countries and across six continents, with the intent of dismantling criminal networks, tracing illicit financial flows, identifying key suspects, recovering criminal proceeds and supporting prosecutions.

Tomonobu Kaya, Director of INTERPOL’s Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre, said the operation demonstrated the importance of international cooperation in tackling organised crime.

“Operation Jackal IV demonstrates the power of international cooperation. By following illicit financial flows across borders, we are attacking the very lifeblood of organised crime and making it increasingly difficult for criminal networks to profit from their activities,” Kaya said.

The international police organisation said the targeted networks were linked to various forms of financial crime, including romance scams, cryptocurrency and investment fraud, as well as business email compromise schemes.

It said the operation was launched in response to the growing international reach of West African criminal networks, particularly Black Axe and other groups associated with cyber-enabled fraud and violent crime.

Nigeria was among the countries that participated in the operation, alongside Austria, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Côte d’Ivoire, France, Germany, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Source: MRA