By Ejire Folakunmi
Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command have rescued 9 foreign nationals and arrested 2 suspects linked to a transnational fraud syndicate that lures victims from Ghana and other countries with false promises of facilitating travel to Europe.
The suspects, identified as Stephen Kwame and Abubakar Sulaimon, were apprehended at their hideout in the Owode Egba area of Ogun State following actionable intelligence received via INTERPOL.
On Apr. 6, 2026, at about 12:00hrs, operatives swiftly mobilised and stormed the identified criminal hideout, where a Ghanaian national, Maclaud Owusu, aged 40, was being unlawfully held. The operation led to the successful rescue of Owusu alongside 8 other victims held under similar circumstances, all of whom were brought out unhurt.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of an organised criminal syndicate that targets foreign nationals, particularly Ghanaians, luring them to Nigeria under the false promise of helping them travel to Europe. Upon arrival, the victims are deceived, confined, and their mobile phones seized and used to contact relatives and associates to demand money under false pretences.
The principal victim, Maclaud Owusu, was defrauded of 31,000 Ghana Cedis before police intervention.
The suspects were arrested at the scene while the victims were secured and provided with necessary assistance. Owusu has since been reunited with his family, while efforts are ongoing to reunite the remaining 8 rescued victims with their respective families.
Investigations are continuing to track down and bring all accomplices connected to the syndicate to justice, with the suspects set to be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the professionalism, tactical efficiency, and swift response of the operatives, as well as the synergy with international law enforcement agencies.
Ojajuni reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for all forms of criminality, assuring that such syndicates would be decisively dismantled.
The Command urged members of the public, particularly those engaging in international travel arrangements, to exercise due diligence and verify the authenticity of agents to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes of this nature.
Citizens are encouraged to provide timely and credible information to the police through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800-000-9111; or emergency numbers 0906-283-7609, 0912-014-1706, 0915-102-7369, and 0708-497-2994.