Eight foreigners arrested for faked kidnapping and ransom scam in Ogun

…Suspects stage fake kidnapping to extort money from families abroad

The Ogun State Police Command has uncovered a transnational crime syndicate specializing in fake kidnapping and ransom scams, arresting eight foreign nationals linked to the operation.

The suspects, from West and North African countries, were arrested during an intelligence-led raid in Adiyan area of ​​Agbado following a tip-off about a suspected fake kidnapping.

Those arrested include five Ivorians – Suren Neta, Koffi Breno, Gondo Treso, Kougasi John and Hemue Blinsi – along with Zakaria Zawadogo of Burkina Faso, Cheik El-Mehdi of Mauritania and Kunuji Ezekiel of the Republic of Benin.

Police said the arrests followed a complaint filed on June 6, 2026, by an informant who raised the alarm after El-Mehdi allegedly contacted his family abroad, claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding a ransom.

Investigation revealed that Zawadogo reinforced the false claim by threatening that the alleged victim would be killed if payment was not made.

Acting quickly, investigators tracked the suspects to their hideout, where Zawadogo was first arrested before leading officers to other syndicate members.

“The operation was intelligence-driven and prevented what could have become a successful cross-border financial crime,” the command said.

Preliminary findings showed that the group deliberately orchestrated the fake kidnapping as part of a coordinated scheme to defraud unsuspecting relatives overseas.

Police also revealed that Neta lured El-Mehdi to Nigeria, while Zawadogo coordinated the ransom demands.

In a shocking twist, investigators confirmed that the alleged victim, El-Mehdi, was an active participant in the plot.

“The main suspects have confessed to their role in the conspiracy,” police said, adding that efforts are underway to unravel the full extent of the syndicate’s activities and possible links to wider international criminal networks.

The suspects were transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation for further discreet investigation.

The state’s police commissioner, Bode Ojajuni, praised the operations for their swift and professional response, stressing that the breakthrough underlines the growing sophistication of transnational crimes.

He reassured residents that Ogun State remains hostile to criminal elements, promising continued intelligence gathering and stronger collaboration with international security agencies to combat organized crime.

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