By: Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight foreign nationals for their alleged involvement in a transnational criminal network accused of staging fake kidnapping incidents to extort ransom payments from relatives living abroad.

The suspects were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation that uncovered what police described as a sophisticated ransom fraud scheme operating within Ogun State.

Those arrested include Zakaria Zawadogo, 34, a Burkinabe national; Cheik El-Mehdi, 23, from Mauritania; Suren Neta, 25; Koffi Breno, 36; Gondo Treso, 32; Kougasi John; and Hemue Blinsi, 30, all from Côte d’Ivoire, as well as Kunuji Ezekiel, 27, from the Republic of Benin.

According to the police, the investigation began on June 6, 2026, after a concerned informant reported that Cheik El-Mehdi had contacted members of his family abroad in May, claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding ransom for his release. The family was allegedly subjected to further pressure when another suspect, Zakaria Zawadogo, reportedly threatened that El-Mehdi would be killed if the ransom was not paid.

Acting on the information, detectives attached to the Ifo Division launched an intelligence-driven investigation that led to the discovery of the syndicate’s operations. Technical intelligence traced the suspects to Adiyan Town in the Agbado area of Ogun State, where operatives arrested Zawadogo. He subsequently led investigators to the group’s hideout, resulting in the arrest of the remaining suspects.

Confirming the development, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, stated that all suspects were taken into custody and the premises secured and searched in accordance with due process. Preliminary findings revealed that the alleged kidnapping was carefully staged as part of a coordinated effort to deceive and extort money from relatives overseas.

Further investigations indicated that Suren Neta allegedly facilitated El-Mehdi’s trip to Nigeria, while Zawadogo coordinated the ransom demands and threats. In a startling revelation, detectives discovered that the supposed victim, Cheik El-Mehdi, was allegedly a willing participant in the scheme and worked alongside other members of the syndicate to orchestrate the fake abduction.

Police said the principal suspects, including Zawadogo, El-Mehdi and Neta, have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the conspiracy. Investigators are continuing efforts to determine the full scope of the syndicate’s activities and establish whether it has links to other transnational criminal networks.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling organized crime and protecting residents from fraud, extortion and other cross-border criminal activities.