Police rescue dozens deceived by job scam in Lagos

At least 50 individuals from neighbouring African nations were rescued from a duplex on Omola Road in the Edemola area of Epe, Lagos State over the weekend.

Initially believed to be kidnapped victims awaiting ransom, the police have clarified that they were not abducted. Unverified reports had suggested that the rescued individuals, all foreigners, were being held captive until a ransom was paid for their release.

However, upon investigation by the authorities, it was determined that they had fallen victim to a job scam orchestrated by fleeing Cameroonian ring leaders.

According to the police, the rescued individuals, hailing from Cameroon and Gabon, had been deceived into believing there were lucrative job opportunities awaiting them in Nigeria.

They had paid an unspecified amount to the fraudsters and sold their valuables, including houses, to finance their journey.

Upon their rescue and subsequent interrogation at the Oke Oyinbo Police Division, it became evident that they had been misled by promises of employment. The police are continuing their investigation into the matter to apprehend the perpetrators of the scam.

On arrival, they were reportedly kept in the duplex with a stern warning not to step outside, until they got the promised jobs.

Some of them were discovered to have been in the building for six months.

“A resident of the area alerted the traditional ruler of the community of unusual movements in the building at odd hours. Nobody knew any of the occupants, or what they did, they didn’t interact with people.

“Thereafter, the authorities including members of the vigilante group were invited here today (yesterday). About 70 of them were brought out of the building, with their luggage

“They were all foreigners. Among them were 20 children,” said a trader, who simply identified herself as Iya Modunat.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, when contacted, said the main suspect had fled to Cameroon.