Ogun Police bust Cameroonian visa scam syndicate that kidnapped victims under fake visa promises, rescued hostages, and arrested two suspects in Mowe.
The Ogun State Police Command has dismantled a Cameroonian visa scam syndicate responsible for luring and kidnapping victims under the pretense of helping them secure travel visas.
The syndicate, which operated between Cameroon and Nigeria, deceived several individuals with false promises of Canadian visas before holding them hostage and demanding ransom payments.
According to a statement issued by the command, the breakthrough followed a distress call received by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Eleweran on November 4, 2025, around 10:30 a.m.
The call came from a Cameroonian woman who recounted how she and her sister had been victims of the Cameroonian visa scam syndicate and were held captive in Mowe, Ogun State.
The victim narrated that she was contacted in September 2025 by a fellow Cameroonian identified as Donald, who posed as a visa consultant and promised to secure her a Canadian visa. Believing the offer, she traveled to Nigeria on September 29, 2025.
Upon arrival at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, she was met by supposed representatives of the visa agency who transported her and her 23-year-old sister to Mowe in Ogun State.
Unbeknownst to the sisters, they had fallen into the trap of a Cameroonian visa scam syndicate. Once they arrived at the hideout, the suspects seized their belongings and held them hostage in a two-bedroom apartment.
The captors later contacted the victims’ family members in Cameroon, demanding ransom payments for their release.
After weeks in captivity, the older sister managed to escape on November 3, 2025, and reached out to the Ogun State Police Command for help.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, a tactical unit from the Anti-Kidnapping Section launched an operation at the Mowe apartment.
During the raid, officers rescued another female victim identified as Kengne Maeva, who was found unharmed.
Two suspects — Ndzana Kamga Isidore and Tingue Stephen — were arrested at the scene, while the alleged ringleader, Donald, escaped and remains at large.
Investigations revealed that the Cameroonian visa scam syndicate had already collected a ransom of 3,600,000 CFA francs from the victims’ family through a Cameroonian bank account operated by the fugitive suspect.
The syndicate’s operation was traced to a network of accomplices who specialized in luring unsuspecting victims from Cameroon, detaining them in Nigeria, and extorting their relatives abroad.
The police confirmed that the syndicate used a sophisticated cross-border strategy to avoid detection, taking advantage of weak immigration surveillance and the victims’ desperation to travel overseas.
Reacting to the breakthrough, Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, commended the quick response and professionalism of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
He described the bust as a major achievement in the command’s efforts to dismantle cross-border crime and fraudulent visa networks.
CP Ogunlowo directed all tactical commanders to maintain heightened surveillance across Ogun communities, particularly in border and semi-urban areas, to prevent similar cases.
He also instructed officers to partner with community stakeholders and local landlords to report suspicious foreign nationals renting apartments or operating unregistered “visa processing” businesses.
The Commissioner emphasized that the police would intensify intelligence sharing with security agencies in Cameroon to ensure the arrest of Donald and other members of the syndicate still at large.
The Ogun State Police Command cautioned the public against dealing with unverified visa agents or online travel facilitators.
According to the police, many fraudsters use fake social media profiles and websites to pose as legitimate migration consultants, only to defraud or kidnap their victims.
Authorities urged prospective travelers to verify all visa applications through official government channels such as embassies, consulates, or recognized immigration agencies.
Security experts have highlighted that the activities of the Cameroonian visa scam syndicate reflect a growing trend of organized transnational crime targeting vulnerable populations in West Africa.
Similar incidents have been reported across Nigeria, Cameroon, and Ghana, where criminals exploit citizens’ eagerness to migrate abroad for better opportunities.
Experts also stressed the need for enhanced collaboration between Nigeria and Cameroon in intelligence gathering, extradition procedures, and public awareness campaigns.
Joint efforts, they said, are essential to dismantle such international criminal networks and protect citizens from exploitation.
CP Ogunlowo appealed to local communities, religious leaders, and community development associations (CDAs) to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities immediately.
He advised landlords to screen potential tenants carefully, especially foreigners who rent apartments for unusual or secretive purposes.
“Information from residents plays a critical role in crime prevention,” he said.
“We urge everyone to cooperate fully with law enforcement and avoid falling for fraudulent visa deals that promise unrealistic travel opportunities.”
The two arrested suspects are currently in police custody and assisting investigators with further information. Efforts are ongoing to track down the principal suspect, Donald, and his possible accomplices within and outside Nigeria.
Police authorities reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating cross-border criminal activities, ensuring that victims of fraudulent schemes receive justice, and making Ogun State unsafe for kidnappers and human traffickers.
The successful dismantling of the Cameroonian visa scam syndicate marks a significant victory in the ongoing war against human trafficking, visa fraud, and kidnapping in Nigeria.
The Ogun State Police Command’s swift intervention not only rescued victims but also exposed the dangerous tactics used by transnational criminal gangs.
Citizens are reminded to remain alert, verify all visa offers through legitimate channels, and report any suspicious agents or activities to the nearest police station.
Through collective vigilance and community cooperation, law enforcement agencies can continue to safeguard lives and dismantle criminal networks operating across borders.
More news at ireport247news
About the Author
