By Monsurat Abisoye
Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command in Ifo Division have uncovered a transnational criminal syndicate allegedly involved in a coordinated fake abduction scheme aimed at extorting ransom from unsuspecting families abroad.
The operation, led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen, resulted in the arrest of eight foreign nationals from Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire, and the Republic of Benin. This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi.
The suspects arrested were identified as Zakaria Zawadogo, Cheik El-Mehdi, Suren Neta, Koffi Beeni, Gondo Treso, Kunuji Ezekiel, Kougasi John, and Hemue Blinsi.
They were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation in Adiyan Town, Agbado Area of Ogun State, following credible intelligence and sustained surveillance linked to a reported kidnapping incident that was later discovered to be staged.
The Ifo Police Division had earlier received a complaint on Saturday, June 6, from a member of the public that Cheik El-Mehdi, a 23-year-old Mauritanian national, had contacted his family abroad in May 2026 claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding ransom for his release.
Another suspect, Zakaria Zawadogo, reportedly reinforced the ransom demand with threats that the victim would be killed if payment was not made.
According to the police statement, “Upon receipt of the complaint, detectives of Ifo Division immediately activated intelligence-driven investigation.
“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.
“The technical intelligence report revealed that the suspects were operating from a hideout in Adiyan Town, Agbado Area of Ogun State. Acting on this intelligence, operatives were swiftly mobilised to the location where Zakaria Zawadogo was arrested.
“He subsequently led detectives to the syndicate’s hideout, resulting in the arrest of Cheik El-Mehdi, Suren Neta, and five other foreign nationals.”
The statement further noted that all suspects were taken into custody, while the premises were secured and thoroughly searched in line with due process.
It added, “Preliminary findings 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 lured Cheik El-Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zakaria Zawadogo coordinated the ransom demands and issued threats to compel payment. The purported victim was also found to have actively participated in the orchestration of the fake abduction.
“The principal suspects, Zakaria Zawadogo, Cheik El-Mehdi, and Suren Neta, have all confessed to their involvement in the conspiracy, while further investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent 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 (SCID) for discreet and further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the professionalism, discipline, and swift response of the detectives, noting that their intelligence-led operation exposed and dismantled the criminal scheme.
He stated that the case underscores the growing sophistication of transnational criminal activities and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to proactive policing, intelligence gathering, and sustained operations against organised crime.
CP Ojajuni also assured residents that Ogun State remains a hostile environment for criminal elements and that the Command will continue to strengthen internal and cross-border collaboration to ensure public safety.
The Command further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, especially cases involving staged kidnappings or ransom demands