By Oluwatoyin Adegoke
The Ogun State Police Command has rescued nine foreign nationals and arrested two suspects linked to a transnational fraud syndicate operating in the state.
The suspects, Stephen Kwame and Abubakar Sulaimon, were apprehended at their hideout in Owode-Egba in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the arrest followed actionable intelligence received through the International Criminal Police Organisation, INTERPOL.
He explained that operatives swiftly mobilised to the location where a 40-year-old Ghanaian national, Maclaud Owusu, was being unlawfully detained.
Mr Babaseyi said the operation led to the rescue of Owusu alongside eight other victims who were held under similar conditions noting that all the victims were rescued without injuries.
According to the police spokesperson, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects belong to an organised syndicate that lures foreign nationals, particularly from Ghana, with false promises of facilitating travel to Europe.
He noted that upon arrival in Nigeria, the victims were deceived, confined and forced to surrender their mobile phones, which were then used to contact their relatives for financial extortion.
Mr Babaseyi added that the principal victim had already been defrauded of thirty-one thousand Ghana cedis before the police intervention.
He stated that the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
The police spokesperson also said the rescued victims are receiving necessary care.
Mr Babaseyi added that the principal victim has been reunited with his family, while efforts are ongoing to reconnect the others with their relatives.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response.
Edited by Maxwell Oyekunle
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