Nine foreign nationals lured to Nigeria with promises of travel to Europe have been rescued by Ogun police after being allegedly deceived and held by a fraud syndicate.
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command carried out the operation at a hideout in the Owode Egba area, where two suspects, identified as Stephen Kwame and Abubakar Sulaimon, were arrested in connection with the transnational crime network.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the breakthrough followed actionable intelligence received through INTERPOL, which prompted a swift and coordinated response by the operatives.
“On April 6, 2026, at about 1200hrs, acting on credible intelligence via INTERPOL, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed a criminal hideout in Owode Egba, where a Ghanaian national, Maclaud Owusu, was being unlawfully held,” Babaseyi stated.
She explained that the operation led to the successful rescue of the principal victim alongside eight others who were found in similar circumstances.
“The victim was rescued unhurt alongside eight other foreign nationals who had been lured into the country under false pretences and subsequently confined by the syndicate,” she added.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of an organised criminal group that specialises in deceiving foreign nationals, particularly from Ghana, with promises of facilitating their travel to Europe.
“The syndicate employs deceptive travel schemes to lure unsuspecting victims into Nigeria, where they are held and exploited. Their mobile phones are then used to contact relatives and associates to demand money under false pretences,” Babaseyi disclosed.
She further revealed that the principal victim had already been defrauded of Thirty-One Thousand Ghana Cedis before police intervention.
“In this case, the principal victim was defrauded of ₵31,000 before the timely intervention of the police, which ultimately led to the dismantling of the operation at that location,” she said.
The Police spokesperson confirmed that the suspects were arrested at the scene and would be charged to court upon conclusion of ongoing investigations, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend other accomplices linked to the syndicate.
“The suspects are currently in custody, and investigation is ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate. They will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” Babaseyi affirmed.
She added that the rescued victims have been secured and are receiving necessary care, with steps already taken to reunite them with their families.
“The principal victim has since been reunited with his family, while efforts are ongoing to ensure that the other rescued victims are safely returned to their respective families,” she noted.
Commending the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, praised the professionalism and tactical efficiency of the operatives, as well as the collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.
“The Command remains resolute in its zero tolerance for all forms of criminality and will continue to dismantle criminal networks operating within the state,” Babaseyi said.
The Command also urged members of the public, especially those seeking international travel opportunities, to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of agents to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
“We advise the public to carry out due diligence in all travel arrangements and to report suspicious activities promptly to the police for swift intervention,” she added.
