The Ondo police command says it has rescued 20 persons held hostage by a Ponzi scheme syndicate in Oba-Ile in Akure north LGA of the state.
Parading the suspects on Friday in Akure, the state capital, Wilfred Afolabi, commissioner of police in the state, said the operatives also arrested Sakariya Sadiq, a suspect, in connection to the crime.
Afolabi said the victims were lured into joining the ponzi scheme called ‘Quest International Company’ under false promises of making profit.
He said the victims were later requested to pay N1.5 million each, and also instructed to refer two individuals to the scheme as criteria to become a member of the group, after which they are denied access to their relatives.
“On April 24, 2025, the command surveillance team swung into action, and through intelligence-led policing traced the people held hostage to a residence at Oba-Ile in Akure,” the statement reads.
“During the operation, one Sakariya Sadiq ‘m’ was discovered to be the prime suspect involved in the alleged criminal activities.
“The operation also led to the rescue of 20 victims held hostage by the said suspect at the residence in Oba-Ile, Akure, namely —Rafiu Kehinde; Adebayo Nafisat; Mohammed Aishat; Jesujuwon Osuntoki; Mustapha Gbolahan; ibukun Samuel; Gbolahan Wasiu; Aminu Ifasina; Mohammed Sheifff; Adebayo Rohemat; Saheed Ibrahim; Ibrahim Adebayo; Adebayo Sukurat; Olawoyi Wasilat; Sholagberu Shakirat; Adeyemi Skukurat; Basari Saadiqq; Raji Taofeek.”
Afolabi said the command also apprehended Oyebode Oluwakemi for allegedly defrauding her victims of N250 million in the guise of securing them a government job.
The commissioner of police said the operatives arrested two suspected armed robbers for stealing building materials and home appliances across the state.
He added that Ayodele Temitope, a suspect, was also arrested for a stealing vehicle in the state.
“As a result of the dragnet spread across the state and the intensified manhunt, on April 28, 2025, detectives from the Special Enquiry Unit (SEU) Ondo State command, nabbed the suspect,” Afolabi said.
“In the course of investigation, it was discovered that the suspect had defrauded many people running to the tune of two hundred and fifty million naira (#250,000,000.00).
“On the 15th of April, 2025, at about 0400hrs, operatives of the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT) of the Command on a tip off arrested two (2) suspected armed robbers, namely, Dele Jacob ‘M’ aged 38yrs and Idowu Dada ‘M’ aged 35yrs, that specialized in stealing building materials and home appliances across the state.
“The notable achievements recorded within the past months—ranging from the recovery of stolen vehicles, dismantling of armed robbery and burglary syndicates, busting of transnational fraud operations, arrests of cultists and kidnappers, to the rescue of victims held against their will—are a testament to our robust security strategies, intelligence-driven operations, and the dedication of our gallant officers and men.”(The Cable)
