Five bank workers affiliated with the Black Axe have been arrested by The Gardai, Ireland’s economic crime bureau, in a recent raid carried out on members of the notorious Nigerian confraternity.

According to the Irish Sun, the financial employees, whose identities were not revealed, were picked up by officials of the bureau in its latest phase of Operation Skein, an investigation into worldwide invoice-redirect fraud perpetrated by Black Axe members.

Apart from the arrested bank staff members, over 50 other suspects were also arrested and charged with offences that include money laundering and organised crime.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Gang Black Axe ‘Sends Members to Ireland Banks, IT Firms to Move €14m Realised From Fraud’

Over €400,000 in cash was also recovered from a search conducted on three premises in Dublin, Wicklow and Longford, all in Ireland.

Some of the cult members arrested have been identified as major players in the various fraudulent schemes orchestrated by the Black Axe in Ireland. Other members arrested were described as ‘money mules’, ‘fixers’ and ‘money mule herders’.

The major recoveries that were made during the operation were €98,000 transferred to an account in Portugal and €76,000 stolen from a victim who was trying to buy an apartment in Spain.

Another €400,000 was also recovered out of the €475,000 stolen from seven Irish companies by members of the gang.

One of the persons arrested during the raid was Junior Boboye, a high-ranking Black Axe lieutenant and recruiting sergeant in Ireland.

READ ALSO: Black Axe Responsible for Majority of World’s Cybercrimes, Says INTERPOL

The bureau officials, while searching Boboye’s phone, alleged that a video of a man being executed by being shot in the head was found on it. The video was alleged to have been sent by a person believed to be a Black Axe commander.

Boboye was said to have responded to the video by sending the message — “True sir, he got what he deserved.”

Other Nigerian Black Axe members arrested during the raid include Emmanuel Olaniyan, believed to be Boboye’s second-in-command, Taiwo Ajike and Onyebuchi Aduba. Ajike and Aduba were identified as money mules.

Aside the discovery that Boboye is a high-ranking member of the gang, it is also believed that there are several tiers above him, including middle-managers, a director and ultimately the gang’s bosses.

Another recruiter caught by the Gardaí was Ajibola Bamidele, an IT worker who was also described as a sergeant in the organisation.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Black Axe Cult Spreads in Switzerland

In July 2021, FIJ reported how The Black Axe was found to have infiltrated banks and IT firms in Ireland with its members so it could successfully launder over €14 million, being proceeds of various fraudulent schemes.

The period marked the beginning of Operation Skein and close to 100 arrests were made.

Ireland has also been identified as a key location in the world, where the Black Axe recruit money mules who allow the gang make use of their accounts to transfer stolen funds worth several millions of euros.