Police rescue nine foreign nationals from kidnappers in Ogun

Ebun Emmanuel – April 7, 2026

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Ogun State Police Command, have rescued nine foreign nationals in the Owode Egba area of the state.

The cops also arrested two suspects linked to a transnational fraud syndicate. The suspects, Stephen Kwame and Abubakar Sulaimon were apprehended at their hideout.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, explained in a statement that on 6th of April 2026, around 12 noon, operatives stormed the identified criminal hideout where one Maclaud Owusu, aged 40, a Ghanaian national, was being unlawfully held.

He said, “The operation led to the successful rescue of the victim unhurt alongside eight other victims held under similar circumstances.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects are members of an organised criminal syndicate that lures foreign nationals, particularly from Ghana, to Nigeria under the false promise of facilitating their travel to Europe. Upon arrival, the victims are deceived, confined, and their mobile phones are used to contact relatives and associates to demand money under false pretences. The principal victim, Maclaud Owusu, was defrauded of the sum of Thirty-One thousand Ghana Cedis (₵31,000) before police intervention.

“The suspects were arrested at the scene, while the victims have been secured and provided with necessary assistance. The principal victim has since been reunited with his family, while efforts are ongoing to reunite the other rescued victims with their respective families. Investigation is ongoing to track down and bring all accomplices connected to the syndicate to justice. The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.”

The state Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commends the professionalism, tactical efficiency, and swift response of the operatives, as well as the synergy with international law enforcement agencies.

He reiterates the Command’s zero tolerance for all forms of criminality and said that crime syndicates will be decisively dismantled.

“The Command hereby urges members of the public, particularly those engaging in international travel arrangements, to exercise due diligence and verify the authenticity of agents to avoid falling victim to such fraudulent schemes. Citizens are further encouraged to provide timely and credible information to the Police through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (Toll-Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994,” Babaseyi said.