Daud Olatunji
The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals allegedly held hostage in Sagamu after being lured to Nigeria with promises of securing Canadian and Spanish visas.
The victims, comprising seven males and four females, were rescued by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit following intelligence received on October 19, 2026.
The command disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi.
According to the police, operatives swiftly mobilised to the suspected hideout after receiving actionable intelligence and successfully rescued all 11 victims.
Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that the victims had been deceived by a fellow Ghanaian, who allegedly promised to facilitate their migration to Canada and Spain.
The victims were said to have paid GH₵40,000 each for the purported visa and travel arrangements before being brought to Nigeria, where they were allegedly held against their will.
The police did not disclose the identity of the suspected recruiter or the precise circumstances surrounding the victims’ movement into Nigeria.
The command said the rescued victims were receiving appropriate care and support, while detectives had intensified efforts to identify, track down and arrest other suspects believed to be connected to the alleged criminal network.
Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for its prompt response and professionalism.
Ojajuni reiterated the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping, human trafficking and other forms of transnational crime, warning that the state would not be allowed to become a haven for individuals exploiting unsuspecting victims.
“No safe haven for criminals who exploit the hopes of others,” the police commissioner said.
He assured residents that the command would continue its investigations to ensure that anyone found culpable in the alleged crime was brought to justice.
The police also cautioned members of the public against falling victim to fraudulent overseas travel schemes, urging prospective migrants to verify the authenticity of visa-processing arrangements before making payments to individuals or agencies.
The command further encouraged residents to report suspicious movements and activities that could assist security operatives in identifying and dismantling criminal networks.
It emphasised that intelligence-led policing and credible information from members of the public remained critical to its efforts to protect lives and maintain security across the state.
The rescue comes amid concerns over migration-related fraud schemes in which unsuspecting individuals are allegedly lured with promises of overseas employment, visas or travel opportunities.
The police, however, did not provide further details about the identities of the suspects, whether any arrests had been made or the arrangements for the rescued Ghanaians to return home.
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