Gardaí Target Nigerian-Based Crime Gang In Series Of Raids, Including Kildare

Wednesday, 25 February 2026 10:50

By Martin Osborne

The gang has previously been described by Interpol as a key player in cyber-enabled financial fraud and various online scams.

Seven counties have been targeted in a "day of action" by gardai investigating a Nigerian-based organised crime group.

'Operation Skein' seized electronic devices and a number of clothing items, as part of inquiries into the 'Black Axe' organised crime group.

The gang has previously been described by Interpol as a key player in cyber-enabled financial fraud and various online scams.

The raids carried out in yesterday's day of action involved 11 searches in counties Kildare, Sligo, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny, and Meath.

The Black Axe organised crime group has roots in Nigeria with a global presence across Ireland, the US, Canada, Spain, and the Netherlands, among others.

The searches were conducted by Gardaï from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, alongside the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and detective units

Electronic devices were seized, along with a number of clothing items, believed to represent rank and loyalty among members of the gang.

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