The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six men for allegedly impersonating pastors and staging fake miracles to defraud unsuspecting residents of Idanre community in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola, were apprehended following what the police described as a coordinated, intelligence-led operation.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Jimoh Kazeem, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, noting that the operation was carried out on February 16, 2026.
According to him, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams, working in collaboration with Community Safety Officers, acted on credible intelligence about the activities of a suspected fraud syndicate operating within Idanre and its environs.
Kazeem said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects posed as pastors and religious leaders, allegedly staging fake miracles and spiritual interventions to win the confidence of their victims.
“They allegedly exploited the faith, emotions and vulnerabilities of individuals by promising divine solutions to financial difficulties, health challenges and other personal problems, only to defraud them through various forms of obtaining by false pretence and related scams,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson added that the suspects operated in a coordinated manner, assigning specific roles among themselves to create what investigators described as a structured and convincing façade of legitimacy.
He said further investigations were ongoing to determine the total number of victims, ascertain the financial magnitude of the alleged fraud and track down other collaborators who might still be at large.
“All the suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” Kazeem stated.
The Command, however, urged members of the public to exercise caution and due diligence, warning against individuals who exploit religion and spirituality as a cover for criminal activities.
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