Lagos: NSCDC rescues 125 victims, arrests 18 in crackdown on fake university, ponzi syndicates 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos state command, has rescued 125 victims and arrested 18 suspects in a series of coordinated operations targeting school vandals, operators of a fake university, Ponzi scheme promoters, human traffickers, and cross-border crime syndicates in Badagry.

The operations carried out between July 14 and July 20, 2026, covered the Imeke, Itoga and Ibereko communities in Badagry and led to the rescue of 107 Nigerians and 18 foreign nationals.

A statement issued Wednesday  and signed by the Lagos state Public Relations Officer, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, Wednesday in Lagos, stated that the successful operations followed credible intelligence gathered through sustained community engagement with stakeholders in the Badagry axis of Lagos state.

“The biggest breakthrough came on Monday when operatives stormed a fake university in Imeke, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, where illegal admissions were allegedly being offered for unaccredited courses, including nursing”

“Six male suspects, aged between 24 and 31, were arrested in connection with the illegal institution. Investigations revealed that about 107 unsuspecting students admitted into the institution were allegedly lured into participating in a Ponzi investment scheme,” Oluwaseun said

In another operation on Sunday, July 19, he said  operatives arrested a Cameroonian national for allegedly operating a Ponzi scheme and facilitating illegal entry into Nigeria.

A day earlier, on Saturday, July 18, another suspect was arrested at Alafia community along Itoga Road, Badagry, over alleged human trafficking and facilitation of illegal migration.

The arrest led to the rescue of 10 Cameroonian nationals who, according to the NSCDC, had endured months of exploitation at the hands of the trafficking syndicate.