Ogun Police dismiss banditry claims in Mowe attack, uncover transnational fake kidnapping syndicate

Crime Diary

ABEOKUTA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Ogun State Police Command has dismissed reports linking a recent attack at a private dredging site in Mowe to banditry, describing the incident as an isolated criminal act while assuring residents that security agencies have the situation under control.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Command said the attack occurred at a private dredging facility in Magbon Etido, Mowe, where some foreign nationals were reportedly kidnapped.

The police disclosed that a soldier attached to security duties at the site was killed during the attack, while another sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.

According to the Command, police operatives, working in collaboration with the military, immediately launched coordinated operations to track down those responsible for the incident.

“Preliminary findings do not indicate any connection between the incident and banditry activities,” the statement said.

The police added that investigations and tactical operations remain ongoing, while security presence has been strengthened in the area to prevent further incidents.

The Command urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that the situation is under control and there is no cause for alarm.

Meanwhile, detectives attached to the Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters have uncovered a transnational criminal syndicate allegedly involved in staging kidnappings to extort ransom from relatives of victims living abroad.

The operation led to the arrest of eight foreign nationals during an intelligence-led raid in Adiyan Town, Agbado Area of Ogun State.

Police identified the suspects as Zakaria Zawadogo, a 34-year-old Burkinabe national; Cheik El-Mehdi, 23, from Mauritania; Suren Neta, 25, from Côte d’Ivoire; Koffi Breno, 36; Gondo Treso, 32; Kunuji Ezekiel, 27, from the Republic of Benin; Kougasi John; and Hemue Blinsi, 30.

According to the police, the arrests followed a report received on June 6, 2026, indicating that a Mauritanian national, Cheik El-Mehdi, had informed his family that he had been kidnapped in Nigeria and demanded ransom for his release.

Investigators alleged that another suspect, Zakaria Zawadogo, reinforced the claims by threatening the victim’s family and warning that he would be killed if the ransom was not paid.

Acting on the intelligence, detectives launched a detailed investigation that traced the suspects to a hideout in Adiyan Town, where members of the syndicate were arrested.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the alleged kidnapping was staged as part of a coordinated scheme to defraud the victim’s family.

Police said findings showed that Suren Neta allegedly lured El-Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zawadogo coordinated the ransom demands and threats.

Investigators further alleged that the purported victim actively participated in planning and executing the fake abduction.

The police disclosed that the principal suspects have confessed to their roles in the conspiracy, while efforts are ongoing to determine the full scope of the syndicate’s activities and possible links to other transnational criminal networks.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

The Ogun State Police Command reiterated its commitment to combating organised crime and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.