The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight foreigners for allegedly running a transnational criminal syndicate that staged kidnappings to extort ransom from victims’ families abroad.
Police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said detectives from Ifo Division uncovered the scheme after an intelligence-led investigation. Operatives led by Divisional Police Officer, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen, moved in on the syndicate following a report received on June 6, 2026, about a kidnapping that later proved to be staged.
According to the command, a 23-year-old Mauritanian national, Cheik El-Mehdi, contacted his family abroad in May 2026 claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanded ransom. Another suspect, Zakaria Zawadogo, allegedly reinforced the demand with threats that the victim would be killed if payment was not made.
Investigators traced the suspects to a hideout in Adiyan Town, Agbado area, where they were arrested. Police said the group operated from the location before operatives dismantled the network.
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Those arrested include Zakaria Zawadogo from Burkina Faso, Cheik El-Mehdi from Mauritania, Suren Neta, Koffi Breno, Gondo Treso, Kougasi John and Hemue Blinsi from Côte d’Ivoire, and Kunuji Ezekiel from the Republic of Benin.
Preliminary findings show the operation was a coordinated fraud scheme involving the simulation of abduction. Police alleged that Suren Neta lured Cheik El-Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zawadogo coordinated ransom demands and issued threats. The purported victim was also found to have actively participated in orchestrating the fake kidnapping.
The principal suspects have confessed to their involvement. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for professionalism and swift response. He said the case highlights the increasing sophistication of transnational crime and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing and intelligence-led operations.
The command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, especially cases involving ransom demands or suspected staged abductions, as investigations continue into possible wider cross-border links.
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