POLICE RESCUE 11 GHANAIANS ALLEGEDLY HELD HOSTAGE OVER CANADIAN, SPANISH VISA PROMISES

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals allegedly held hostage in Sagamu after they were lured to Nigeria with promises of Canadian and Spanish visas.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi.

According to the statement, the victims, comprising seven males and four females, were rescued by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following actionable intelligence received on October 19, 2026.

“Acting on actionable intelligence received on 19 October 2026, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit immediately mobilised to the identified hideout and safely rescued all eleven victims,” the statement said.

The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the victims were allegedly deceived by a fellow Ghanaian national who promised to facilitate their travel abroad.

“Each reportedly paid GH₵40,000 before being brought to Nigeria and held against their will,” the statement added.

The command said the rescued victims were receiving appropriate care and support, while detectives had intensified efforts to track down and arrest other individuals linked to the alleged criminal network.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for its prompt response and professionalism.

Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives, combating transnational crime and preventing Ogun State from becoming a haven for criminals who exploit unsuspecting individuals.

The statement quoted the commissioner as saying, “No safe haven for criminals who exploit the hopes of others.”

He assured the public that efforts would continue until those responsible were brought to justice.

The command urged members of the public to verify overseas travel and visa-processing arrangements before making payments and to report suspicious activities to the police.

It also reiterated its commitment to intelligence-led policing, effective inter-agency collaboration and decisive action against criminal networks.

“For the Command, every credible lead matters, every life matters, and protecting the public remains paramount,” the statement said.