The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 23 foreign nationals during a raid on a residential building in an estate off Iyana Iyesi, Onipanu-Ota, over alleged involvement in fraudulent activities linked to a Ponzi scheme and visa scam.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Atan-Ota Division following intelligence received by the police about the alleged activities.
A Malian international passport bearing the name Diakite Alfousseini was among the items recovered during the operation.
Following preliminary investigations, 21 of the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service on August 5 for further investigation into alleged immigration-related offences.
Two others, however, remained in police custody over allegations of obtaining by false pretence and other related offences.
The arrests formed part of a series of operations conducted by the Ogun State Police Command, which also resulted in the rescue of seven kidnap victims, the death of three suspected kidnappers and the arrest of other suspects over alleged armed robbery, fraud, cultism and other offences.
The seven victims were abducted on July 29 along Paraga Street, Ipara, after which the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, working with the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, commenced intelligence gathering and surveillance to locate them and track their abductors.
The operation received additional support on August 3 after Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for aerial assistance.
The request resulted in the deployment of a police helicopter from the Police Air Wing to complement the ground operation.
The combination of aerial surveillance, intelligence sharing and coordinated ground operations enabled the security teams to locate and rescue all seven victims. They were subsequently taken to the Police Hospital for medical attention, while one of the victims, who sustained a gunshot injury during the incident, received treatment.
Following the rescue, security operatives continued their pursuit of the fleeing members of the gang.
Acting on credible intelligence, Anti-Kidnapping Unit operatives, supported by DSS personnel, raided the suspected kidnappers’ hideout along the Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway at about 2am on August 6.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, the suspects engaged the operatives in a gun battle during the raid, resulting in the death of three suspected kidnappers. Other members of the gang reportedly escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
The police recovered an AK-47 rifle, an empty magazine, four mobile phones and ₦2.3 million from the hideout.
The bodies of the deceased suspects were deposited at the State Hospital Morgue, Ijaiye, Abeokuta, for autopsy, while security agencies intensified efforts to track down the fleeing members of the gang.
In a separate operation in Itele, police arrested a suspected armed robber following a distress call from a commercial motorcyclist who alleged that two passengers attempted to rob him at gunpoint along the Orji Block area.
Police operatives arrested Babatunde Olasunkanmi, who allegedly pointed a locally fabricated cut-to-size double-barrel pistol at the motorcyclist, while his accomplice fled with the victim’s red Bajaj motorcycle.
The police recovered the locally fabricated pistol, criminal charms, a Tecno Android phone and a UBA ATM card from the suspect.
Efforts are ongoing to arrest his alleged accomplice, while the suspect and recovered exhibits are to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.
Meanwhile, detectives from the Obantoko Division arrested Kehinde Makinde, popularly known as “Pastor Kenny,” in Ibadan, Oyo State, after four months of investigation into allegations of fraud under the guise of spiritual deliverance.
Police said preliminary investigations showed that Makinde allegedly obtained about ₦2.5 million from 18 fellowship members in Saje, Adatan, after promising them a government-sponsored pilgrimage to Jerusalem and ₦2 million each.
He remains in custody as investigators work to identify other alleged victims and accomplices.
In another development, police operatives recovered an English submachine gun and 75 rounds of live ammunition from a damaged wardrobe in a rented apartment previously occupied by a deceased landlord.
The firearm was discovered during the clearing of the apartment and has been secured for ballistic examination as investigators seek to establish how it came to be concealed there.
The Idi Oke Division also disrupted a suspected cult gathering at Harodous Hotel, Lattykay, Igbesa, following reports that suspected cultists were harassing and extorting patrons.
Twelve suspects were arrested, while others reportedly fled the scene. Police recovered assorted charms, battle axes, knives, cult paraphernalia, eight motorcycles, a black Lexus vehicle and an unregistered red Toyota Camry.
The Command also reported the recovery of a stolen white Toyota Hilux along the Alapako-Ogunmakin Road and the arrest of a 31-year-old man, Samuel Adetunji, over the alleged theft of a commercial tricycle. The tricycle was later recovered at Rounder, Abeokuta.
Similarly, officers of the Sagamu Division recovered an abandoned red Bajaj motorcycle near a mechanic workshop at Trailer Park, Kara, Sabo Sagamu.
The motorcycle has been secured while police investigate its ownership and the circumstances surrounding its abandonment.
Reacting to the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended Governor Abiodun for his intervention in securing aerial support, which he said significantly enhanced the operation that led to the rescue of the seven victims.
Ojajuni also praised the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, tactical teams and other officers for their professionalism and prompt response, while commending the DSS, Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their intelligence sharing and operational support.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, rapid response and sustained inter-agency collaboration, while urging residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police through established channels.