Ogun: Eight arrested as police smash transnational kidnap-ransom fraud syndicate

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have uncovered a transnational criminal syndicate allegedly involved in staging fake kidnappings to extort ransom from relatives abroad, leading to the arrest of eight foreign nationals in the Agbado area of the state.

The suspects allegedly operated a transnational kidnap-ransom fraud ring, orchestrating self-kidnappings and generating fraudulent distress to manipulate and extort money from international family members.

They were arrested during an intelligence-led operation carried out by operatives attached to the Ifo Divisional Headquarters.

The arrested suspects were identified as Zakaria Zawadogo, 34, from Burkina Faso; Cheik El-Mehdi, 23, from Mauritania; Suren Neta, 25, from Ivory Coast; Koffi Breno, 36, Ivory Coast; Gondo Treso, 32, Ivory Coast; Kunuji Ezekiel, 27, Republic of Benin; Kougasi John, Ivory Coast; and Hemue Blinsi, 30, Côte d’Ivoire.

Authorities said the suspects were apprehended at a hideout in Adiyan Town, Agbado, following credible intelligence and sustained surveillance into what was initially reported as a kidnapping case but later turned out to be a staged abduction.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the development in a statement released on Monday.

He noted that the breakthrough followed a report received on June 6, 2026, from a concerned informant.

The informant reportedly alerted the police that Cheik El-Mehdi had contacted his family abroad in May, claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding ransom for his release.

The police further revealed that Zakaria Zawadogo allegedly reinforced the ransom demand by threatening that the purported victim would be killed if payment was not made.

Babaseyi said, “Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives of Ifo Division immediately activated an intelligence-driven investigation.

“This swift response proved decisive in uncovering the location of the suspects and preventing what could have resulted in a successful cross-border financial crime.”

According to the statement, technical intelligence subsequently traced the suspects to a hideout in Adiyan Town.

Acting on the intelligence, operatives moved to the location and arrested Zawadogo, who later led detectives to the syndicate’s hideout, where the remaining suspects were apprehended.

The police said all the suspects were taken into custody while the premises were secured and searched in line with due process.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the operation was a coordinated criminal enterprise designed to deceive and extort money from the alleged victim’s family.

The command stated that investigations showed Suren Neta allegedly lured Cheik El-Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zawadogo coordinated the ransom demands and issued threats aimed at compelling payment.

Further findings indicated that the supposed victim actively participated in planning and executing the fake kidnapping.

The police said the principal suspects, Zawadogo, El-Mehdi and Neta, had confessed to their involvement in the conspiracy.

“The principal suspects, Zakaria Zawadogo, Cheik El-Mehdi, and Suren Neta, have all confessed to their involvement in the conspiracy, while further investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and possible links to other transnational criminal networks,” the statement added.

The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for further investigation.

Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, praised the professionalism, discipline and swift response of the officers led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ifo Division, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen.

Ojajuni noted that the case underscored the growing sophistication of transnational criminal activities and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and sustained operations against organised crime.

“The case highlights the increasing sophistication of transnational criminal activities and reaffirms the Command’s commitment to proactive policing, intelligence gathering, and sustained operations against organised crime,” the commissioner said.

He assured residents that Ogun State would remain hostile to criminal elements and pledged continued collaboration with relevant agencies to combat emerging security threats.

The police commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, especially incidents involving alleged kidnappings and ransom demands, to enable security agencies to take timely action.