Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have dismantled a transnational fraud syndicate operating under the guise of a travel assistance scheme, rescuing nine foreign nationals and arresting two suspects.
The operation was carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following intelligence received through INTERPOL. Acting on the tip-off, officers raided a hideout in the Owode Egba area, where the victims were found held against their will.
Police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi disclosed that one of the victims, 40-year-old Ghanaian Maclaud Owusu, was lured to Nigeria with promises of travel facilitation to Europe.
Investigations revealed that Owusu was defrauded of 31,000 Ghana cedis before being rescued alongside eight others who were similarly deceived and confined by the syndicate.
The suspects, identified as Stephen Kwame and Abubakar Sulaimon, were arrested at the scene. Preliminary findings showed that the group specifically targeted foreign nationals, particularly Ghanaians, with fraudulent travel offers.
Victims were reportedly detained upon arrival, while their mobile phones were used to contact relatives and extort money under false pretences.
Police authorities said the rescued individuals are currently receiving care, with efforts ongoing to reunite them with their families. Owusu has already been reconnected with his relatives.
Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended the operatives for their swift response and emphasised the importance of international collaboration in tackling cross-border crimes. He assured that all accomplices linked to the syndicate would be apprehended and prosecuted.
The police also advised the public to exercise caution when making international travel arrangements, urging thorough verification of agents to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.
