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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police arrest eight foreigners over fake kidnapping, extortion in Ogun

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Under investigation
  • Police in Ogun State, Nigeria, arrested eight foreigners for allegedly operating a fake kidnapping syndicate.
  • The group staged kidnappings to extort ransom from victims' families abroad, with one Mauritanian national pretending to be abducted.
  • The suspects, from various West African countries, were apprehended after an intelligence-led investigation, and the case is under further investigation.

Ogun State Police Command in Nigeria has arrested eight foreign nationals for their alleged involvement in a transnational criminal syndicate that staged fake kidnappings to extort ransom. The suspects, who hail from countries including Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Ivory Coast, and the Republic of Benin, were apprehended in Adiyan Town, Agbado area of the state.

a carefully coordinated fake kidnapping scheme designed to extort ransom from unsuspecting families abroad.

— DSP Oluseyi BabaseyiThe Ogun State Police Command spokesperson describing the alleged criminal operation.

The operation was uncovered through intelligence-led investigations by detectives from the Ifo Division. The syndicate allegedly orchestrated a "carefully coordinated fake kidnapping scheme" targeting families abroad. Preliminary findings suggest that a 23-year-old Mauritanian national, Cheik El-Mehdi, contacted his family in May 2026 claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding ransom. Another suspect, Zakaria Zawadogo, reportedly reinforced the demand with threats.

Police acted on intelligence regarding a reported kidnapping incident that turned out to be staged. Operatives tracked the suspects to a hideout where they were arrested. The investigation revealed that the operation involved simulating a kidnapping to obtain ransom payments. Investigators allege that Suren Neta lured El-Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zawadogo coordinated ransom demands and issued threats. The "purported victim" is also said to have actively participated in orchestrating the fake abduction.

the purported victim was also found to have actively participated in the orchestration of the fake abduction.

— Police statementDetails from the police investigation into the staged kidnapping.

The principal suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation. The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response, highlighting the increasing sophistication of transnational criminal activities.

the increasing sophistication of transnational criminal activities.

— Commissioner of Police, Bode OjajuniThe police commissioner commenting on the nature of the crime.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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