The Ogun State Police Command has rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals allegedly held captive in Sagamu after being deceived with promises of Canadian and Spanish visas in a suspected cross-border fraud scheme involving about ₦50.27 million.

The victims, comprising seven men and four women, were freed on October 19 following intelligence received by the police, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit were deployed to the suspected location after receiving credible information, leading to the rescue of all 11 individuals.

Preliminary police investigations revealed that the victims were allegedly recruited by a fellow Ghanaian who claimed to have connections that could facilitate their travel to Canada and Spain.

Each victim reportedly paid GH₵40,000 before travelling to Nigeria, where they were allegedly detained against their will.

The command said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident, identify other individuals involved and apprehend members of the suspected criminal network.

The rescued victims are currently receiving necessary care and support as detectives work to uncover further details of their alleged ordeal.

Reacting to the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, praised the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for its swift response and professionalism in securing the victims’ freedom.

Ojajuni reiterated the command’s resolve to protect residents, tackle transnational crime and prevent criminal groups from exploiting people seeking opportunities abroad.

He warned that the state would not serve as a refuge for individuals who deceive others for financial gain, assuring the public that efforts would continue to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

The police also cautioned prospective travellers against making payments to unverified individuals or agencies claiming to offer overseas visa processing and travel assistance.

Members of the public were advised to confirm the legitimacy of travel arrangements and verify the credentials of service providers before committing money.

The command further urged residents to report suspicious activities that could assist security agencies in identifying and dismantling criminal networks, reaffirming its commitment to intelligence-led policing and cooperation with other security agencies.