The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled a transnational fraud syndicate and rescued nine foreign nationals held in captivity.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit carried out the operation on April 6, 2026, at a hideout in Owode Egba, following credible intelligence received through INTERPOL.
During the raid, officers rescued a 40-year-old Ghanaian, Maclaud Owusu, alongside eight other victims who had been held under similar conditions.
Police investigations revealed that the syndicate specialised in luring foreign nationals, particularly from Ghana, into Nigeria under the guise of facilitating travel to Europe.
A police spokesperson explained that upon arrival, the victims were held against their will, while the suspects used their phones to contact relatives and extort money under false pretences.
Owusu was reportedly defrauded of ₵31,000 before the police intervention.
Two suspects, identified as Stephen Kwame and Abubakar Sulaimon, were arrested at the scene, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, commended the swift and coordinated efforts of the operatives, reiterating the command’s commitment to combating organised crime.
“This operation underscores our zero tolerance for criminal syndicates. We will continue to dismantle such networks and ensure that justice is served,” Ojajuni said.
The police added that the rescued victims are currently receiving care and support, and arrangements are being made to reunite them with their families.
The command also advised members of the public to exercise caution when engaging in international travel arrangements, urging them to verify the authenticity of agents to avoid falling prey to fraudulent schemes.
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