Gardai raid properties in Limerick in an operation targeting the Nigerian mafia

GARDAI from the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) carried out a day of action this Tuesday - including in Limerick - as part of Operation SKEIN targeting the Black Axe organised crime group.

The Black Axe has been described as the Nigerian mafia and “one of West Africa’s most feared criminal networks”. 

According to a 2022 report by Interpol, “Black Axe and similar groups are responsible for the majority of the world’s cyber-enabled financial fraud as well as many other serious crimes”.

Innovations in money-transfer software and cryptocurrency have played into the hands of the group, which are renowned for multi-million dollar online scams.

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GNECB members alongside the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau and local uniform and detective units carried out 11 searches at locations across Ireland.

GNECB carried out searches in counties Sligo, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny, Kildare, and Meath. These 11 searches are in addition to three previously conducted in 2025.

During the course of the operation, gardaí seized a number of electronic devices of evidential value.

A garda spokesperson said, in addition to these devices, gardaí recovered a number of clothing items which are believed to denote affiliation, rank and loyalty in the organised crime group.

“As part of Operation SKEIN, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau continues to work closely with law-enforcement partners across several jurisdictions and is supported in its efforts by Europol and Interpol. This coordinated international approach reflects the scale and sophistication of the criminal network under investigation.

“Investigations are ongoing,” said the garda spokesperson.

Operation SKEIN is co-ordinated by the Garda Economic Crime Bureau and investigates international criminal organisations that commit fraud worldwide and launder the proceeds through networks of bank accounts in Ireland.

Since 2020, gardaí have identified 1,400 potential suspects involved in the theft and laundering of €94 million.

To date, more than 636 people have been arrested as part of this operation. Over half of these have been charged with gangland offences as well as money laundering.

 These arrests were made all over Ireland and conducted by local gardaí from almost every Garda Community Engagement Area.