The Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands have recorded major operational successes with the arrest of a suspected fake Nigeria Customs Service officer over an alleged shipment fraud, the apprehension of 17 suspected cultists, and the rescue of a kidnap victim.

In Lagos, operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, arrested a man accused of impersonating a Nigeria Customs Service officer and allegedly defrauding a victim of N520,000 in a fake shipment clearance scheme.

The suspect allegedly convinced the complainant that goods shipped from the United States had arrived in Nigeria and demanded N1.8 million as clearing and delivery charges.

To lend credibility to the claim, he reportedly sent a purported shipping label and tracking number.

Believing the claim, the complainant paid N520,000 as an initial deposit, with the balance to be paid upon delivery of the goods.

However, the suspect allegedly became unreachable after receiving the payment, prompting the victim to petition the police.

Following the complaint, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, directed the SCID to intensify investigations into the case.

Police sources said the investigation, handled by the Anti-Robbery Unit of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Dayo Akinbisehin, revealed that the suspect had also falsely presented himself as a clearing agent.

Detectives later recovered a purported Nigeria Customs Service identity card bearing the suspect’s name, as well as another identification card portraying him as a superintendent, both of which were allegedly used to facilitate the fraud.

The suspect was eventually arrested after detectives lured him to a meeting where he had agreed to collect the outstanding balance of the money.

Police said investigations were ongoing to determine whether the suspect had defrauded other victims using a similar method.

He is expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Meanwhile, in Ogun State, operatives of the Police Command arrested 17 suspected cultists during a raid on an alleged cult initiation ground at Ibogun Shomi in Ifo Local Council.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the arrests followed credible intelligence received on July 31, 2026, indicating that suspected cult members had assembled in the area for an initiation ceremony.

He said a combined team of Anti-Robbery, Surveillance and Patrol operatives stormed the location at about 2:40 p.m. and arrested 17 suspects.

Those arrested are Ayankunle Isaiah, 24; Oluyemi Michael, 25; Olsesi Abayomi, 23; Bello David, 21, Adams Yusuf, 21, Temitope Adesoji, 28; Ashipa Sodiq, 30; Kolade Oluwaseun, 30; William Michael, 21; Hussain Samuel, 26; Oyewole Basit, 20; Samuel Olusegun, 20; Ifadire Olamilekan, 20; Daniel Chigozie, 18; Seyi Ridwan, 24; Achika Waliu, 28; and Ridwan Odukoya, 22.

Police recovered one locally fabricated short gun and an axe from the suspects.

Babaseyi said the suspects and recovered exhibits would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and possible prosecution.

In a separate operation, operatives of the Iperu Division rescued a 29-year-old kidnapping victim, Sotonwa Oluwamayo, who was abducted along Ogere Road in the Orisunmibare area of Iperu-Remo.

According to the police, a distress call reporting the abduction was received on July 17, 2026, after which officers immediately mobilised alongside operatives of the Ogun State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) and the Ogun State Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) to comb nearby forests.

The coordinated operation forced the kidnappers to abandon the victim and flee, leading to his rescue in less than 24 hours after the incident was reported.

The victim, who sustained injuries during the ordeal, was taken to hospital for treatment and is responding well, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the officers for their swift response and professionalism, reaffirming the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing, strategic patrols and rapid response to criminal activities.

He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen crime prevention efforts across the state. (The Guardian)

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