Lagos: NSCDC rescues 125 victims, arrests 18 in crackdown on fake university, ponzi syndicates

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos state Command, has rescued 125 victims and arrested 18 suspects in series of coordinated operations targeting school vandals, operators of a fake university, ponzi scheme promoters, human traffickers, and cross-border crime syndicates in Badagry.

The operations, carried out between July 14 and July 20, 2026, covered the Imeke, Itoga and Ibereko communities in Badagry and led to the rescue of 107 Nigerians and 18 foreign nationals.

According to the statement issued and signed on Tuesday, by the Lagos State Command Public Relations Officer, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, in Lagos, stated that the successful operations followed credible intelligence gathered through sustained community engagement with stakeholders in the Badagry axis of Lagos state.

“The biggest breakthrough came on Monday, July 20, when operatives stormed a fake university in Imeke, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, where illegal admissions were allegedly being offered for unaccredited courses, including nursing.

“Six male suspects, aged between 24 and 31, were arrested in connection with the illegal institution. Investigations revealed that about 107 unsuspecting students admitted into the institution were allegedly lured into participating in a Ponzi investment scheme” Oluwaseun said
In another operation on Sunday, July 19, operatives arrested a Cameroonian national for allegedly operating a Ponzi scheme and facilitating illegal entry into Nigeria.

A day earlier, on Saturday, July 18, another suspect was arrested at Alafia community along Itoga road, Badagry, over alleged human trafficking and facilitation of illegal migration.

The arrest led to the rescue of 10 Cameroonian nationals who, according to the NSCDC, had endured months of exploitation at the hands of the trafficking syndicate.

The command also disclosed that seven suspects involved in the vandalism of public school infrastructure in Ibereko were arrested on July 14 and subsequently prosecuted after investigations were concluded.

Five of the suspects are minors aged between 12 and 16 years.

They were accused of vandalising school desks, electrical cables and office facilities.

Additionally, three foreign nationals, including one from the Niger Republic, were arrested for alleged involvement in Ponzi scheme operations, illegal migration and activities considered to be in violation of extant government laws and policies in the Itoga and Imeke areas of Badagry.

Lagos state Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Sunday Keshinro, directed that all suspects be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

He warned members of the public, particularly prospective students, to be cautious of institutions offering desperate admission opportunities that could ultimately turn out to be fraudulent schemes.

Keshinro also reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance stance against the vandalism of school infrastructure and other public assets, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law.