Detectives at Ifo Division, Ogun State Police Command, led by DPO CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen, have uncovered a transnational syndicate behind a staged kidnapping scheme targeting families abroad for ransom. Eight foreign nationals were arrested in an intelligence-led operation in Adiyan Town, Agbado, Ogun State, following a report on June 6, 2026. The suspects include Zakaria Zawadogo, 34, Burkina Faso; Cheik El-Mehdi, 23, Mauritania; Suren Neta, 25, Ivory Coast; Koffi Breno, 36, Ivory Coast; Gondo Treso, 32, Ivory Coast; Kunuji Ezekiel, 27, Republic of Benin; Kougasi John, Ivory Coast; and Hemue Blinsi, 30, Côte d’Ivoire.
The case began in May 2026 when Cheik El-Mehdi contacted his family abroad claiming he was kidnapped in Nigeria and demanding ransom. Zakaria Zawadogo later reinforced the threats, warning the victim would be killed if payment wasn’t made. Police investigation revealed the abduction was staged. Suren Neta lured Cheik El-Mehdi into Nigeria, while Zakaria coordinated ransom demands and threats. The “victim” was also found to have actively participated in orchestrating the fake abduction. All eight suspects confessed and are in custody as the case moves to the State CID for further investigation into possible links with other transnational criminal networks.
Ogun CP Bode Ojajuni commended the professionalism and swift response of CSP Kamorudeen’s team, saying the case shows the growing sophistication of cross-border crime and reaffirms the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing. He assured that Ogun remains hostile to criminal elements and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, especially staged kidnappings or ransom demands, via Gateway Shield 0800 000 9111 or emergency lines 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, 0708 497 2994.
