Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have uncovered a transnational criminal syndicate allegedly involved in orchestrating fake kidnapping incidents to extort ransom payments from unsuspecting relatives living abroad, leading to the arrest of eight foreign nationals linked to the scheme.
The Ogun State Police Command said detectives attached to the Ifo Division uncovered the syndicate during an intelligence-led operation in Adiyan Town, Agbado area of the state.
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According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the suspects include nationals of Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire and the Republic of Benin.
The arrests followed a report received on June 6, 2026, from an informant who alerted authorities that a 23-year-old Mauritanian, Cheik El-Mehdi, had contacted his family abroad claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding ransom for his release.
Police investigations later revealed that the alleged kidnapping was staged.
Authorities said another suspect, Zakaria Zawadogo, allegedly reinforced the ransom demand by threatening that the purported victim would be killed if payment was not made.
Detectives launched an intelligence-driven investigation which traced the suspects to a hideout in Adiyan Town. Police said Zawadogo was first arrested and later led operatives to the location where El-Mehdi and six other foreign nationals were apprehended.
Preliminary findings showed that the operation was a coordinated criminal enterprise aimed at defrauding unsuspecting relatives overseas through a fabricated abduction plot.
Investigators said one of the suspects, Suren Neta, allegedly lured El-Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zawadogo coordinated ransom demands and threats. Police added that the supposed victim also actively participated in orchestrating the scheme.
The command said key suspects have confessed to involvement, while investigations continue to determine the full scope of the network and possible links to other transnational criminal groups.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, commended detectives for their swift response and professionalism, describing the operation as a major breakthrough against organised crime.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and warned that Ogun State would remain hostile to criminal activities.
Police also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, particularly cases involving alleged kidnappings and ransom demands.
