Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled a transnational criminal syndicate specialising in staging fake kidnappings to extort ransom from families overseas, arresting eight foreign nationals in an intelligence‑led operation in the Agbado area of the state. The suspects, who orchestrated a carefully coordinated abduction drama to defraud unsuspecting relatives abroad, were apprehended following a complaint received on June 6, 2026.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, June 8. He said the operation was triggered after an informant reported that Cheik El‑Mehdi, a 23‑year‑old Mauritanian, had contacted his family overseas claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and was demanding ransom for his release. Another suspect, Zakaria Zawadogo, a Burkinabe national, allegedly reinforced the demand by threatening that the purported victim would be killed if payment was not made.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives of Ifo Division immediately activated an intelligence‑driven investigation,” Babaseyi said. “This swift response proved decisive in uncovering the location of the suspects and preventing what could have resulted in a successful cross‑border financial crime.” Technical intelligence traced the suspects to a hideout in Adiyan Town, Agbado area of Ogun State. Operatives moved swiftly to the location and arrested Zawadogo, who then led investigators to the syndicate’s hideout where the remaining suspects were captured.
The eight arrested suspects are: Zakaria Zawadogo, 34, from Burkina Faso; Cheik El‑Mehdi, 23, from Mauritania; Suren Neta, 25, from Côte d’Ivoire; Koffi Breno, 36, from Côte d’Ivoire; Gondo Treso, 32, from Côte d’Ivoire; Kunuji Ezekiel, 27, from the Republic of Benin; Kougasi John, from Côte d’Ivoire; and Hemue Blinsi, 30, from Côte d’Ivoire. All suspects were taken into custody, and the premises were secured and searched in line with due process.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the operation was a coordinated criminal enterprise involving the deliberate staging of a kidnapping scenario to defraud the victim’s family. It was further established that Suren Neta allegedly lured Cheik El‑Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zakaria Zawadogo coordinated the ransom demands and issued threats to compel payment. The supposed victim was also found to have actively participated in planning and executing the fake abduction. The principal suspects, Zawadogo, El‑Mehdi, and Neta, have confessed to their involvement in the conspiracy, while further investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of the syndicate’s operations and possible links to other transnational criminal networks. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, praised the professionalism, discipline, and swift response of the detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer of Ifo Division, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen. Ojajuni noted that the case underscores the growing sophistication of transnational criminal activities and reaffirms the command’s commitment to intelligence‑led policing, sustained operations against organised crime, and collaboration with other security agencies to combat cross‑border criminality. He assured residents that Ogun State would remain a hostile environment for criminal elements.
The Ogun State Police Command urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments