The Ogun State Police Command has uncovered a transnational criminal syndicate involved in a staged kidnapping and ransom fraud scheme, leading to the arrest of eight foreign nationals in the Adiyan area of Agbado, Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, who said detectives attached to the Ifo Division uncovered the syndicate following intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance into a reported kidnapping case.
According to the police, the suspects include Zakaria Zawadogo, 34, from Burkina Faso; Cheik El-Mehdi, 23, from Mauritania; Suren Neta, 25, from Ivory Coast; Koffi Breno, 36; Gondo Treso, 32; Kunuji Ezekiel, 27, from the Republic of Benin; Kougasi John; and Hemue Blinsi, 30.
Babaseyi said the breakthrough followed a report received on June 6 from an informant who alerted the police that El-Mehdi had contacted his family abroad in May, claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding ransom for his release.
The police spokesperson stated that another suspect, Zawadogo, allegedly reinforced the ransom demand by threatening that the purported victim would be killed if the money was not paid.
He explained that detectives immediately launched an intelligence-driven investigation, which led to the discovery of the syndicate’s hideout in Adiyan Town.
“Acting on technical intelligence, operatives were mobilised to the location where Zakaria Zawadogo was arrested. He subsequently led detectives to the hideout, resulting in the arrest of Cheik El-Mehdi, Suren Neta and five other foreign nationals,” the statement read.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly staged the kidnapping to extort money from the victim’s family abroad.
The police further disclosed that Suren Neta allegedly lured El-Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zawadogo coordinated the ransom demands and threats aimed at compelling payment.
Investigators also found that the supposed victim actively participated in planning and executing the fake abduction.
Babaseyi said the principal suspects, Zawadogo, El-Mehdi and Neta, had confessed to their roles in the conspiracy, adding that efforts were ongoing to determine whether the syndicate had links to other transnational criminal networks.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, praised the professionalism and swift response of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ifo Division, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen.
Ojajuni said the case underscored the growing sophistication of transnational criminal activities and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the fight against organised crime.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, especially cases involving alleged kidnappings and ransom demands.
