Four suspected foreign nationals arrested as security operatives uncover cross-border criminal syndicate in Badagry.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has uncovered an illegal detention camp in Badagry, Lagos State, rescuing 24 victims, including a toddler, and arresting four suspected members of a cross-border criminal syndicate.
According to the Lagos State Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, the operation was carried out in Itoga, Badagry, following credible intelligence and community-based information on suspicious activities in the area.
The rescued victims, comprising 18 males and six females, are nationals of Nigeria, Togo and Benin Republic. Preliminary investigations revealed that some had been missing for periods ranging from three months to three years before their rescue.
Keshinro alleged that the suspects lured victims into the camp through deception and forced some to make false distress calls to relatives, claiming they had been kidnapped or involved in accidents in order to extort money and ransom payments.
He further disclosed that some victims were allegedly compelled to engage in fraudulent activities, drug-related crimes and the recruitment of other unsuspecting individuals into the network.
The command urged families searching for missing relatives to come forward and assist in identifying the rescued victims, adding that the suspects will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
The latest operation comes months after the Lagos NSCDC uncovered a suspected baby factory in Badagry and rescued several pregnant women and children from the facility.