Abeokuta, Ogun State — The Ogun State Police Command has uncovered a transnational criminal syndicate involved in staging fake kidnapping incidents to extort ransom from unsuspecting families abroad, leading to the arrest of eight foreign nationals.
The suspects, identified as Zakaria Zawadogo (34) from Burkina Faso, 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, were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation in Adiyan Town, Agbado Area of Ogun State.
According to a statement from the Ogun State Police Command, the operation was carried out by detectives attached to the Ifo Division under the leadership of the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen, following a report of an alleged kidnapping that was later discovered to be staged.
The investigation began after a concerned informant reported on June 6, 2026, that Mauritanian national Cheik El-Mehdi had contacted his family abroad, claiming he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding ransom for his release. The report further revealed that another suspect, Zakaria Zawadogo, reinforced the ransom demand by threatening that the victim would be killed if payment was not made.
Acting swiftly on the information, detectives launched an intelligence-driven investigation that traced the suspects to a hideout in Adiyan Town. Zakaria Zawadogo was initially arrested and subsequently led investigators to the location where the remaining suspects were apprehended.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the alleged victim, Cheik El-Mehdi, was an active participant in the scheme. Police said the operation was a coordinated effort to deceive family members abroad into paying ransom.
Investigators further discovered that Suren Neta allegedly lured El-Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zakaria Zawadogo coordinated the ransom demands and threats aimed at pressuring the victim’s relatives into making payments.
The Police disclosed that the principal suspects, Zakaria Zawadogo, Cheik El-Mehdi, and Suren Neta, have confessed to their roles in the conspiracy. Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the full scope of the syndicate’s activities and whether it is linked to other international criminal networks.
The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, praised the professionalism and swift response of the detectives led by CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen.
He noted that the case highlights the growing sophistication of transnational criminal activities and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the fight against organized crime.
The Police Commissioner also assured residents that Ogun State remains hostile to criminal elements and pledged continued collaboration with relevant agencies to safeguard lives and property while strengthening efforts against cross-border crime.
