Police in Nigeria’s Ogun State have rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals who were allegedly held hostage in Sagamu after being lured to the country with promises of Canadian and Spanish visas.
The Ogun State Police Command announced the rescue in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi.
According to the statement, the victims, comprising seven men and four women, were rescued by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following intelligence received on October 19.
The police said officers swiftly moved to the suspected hideout after receiving the information and successfully freed all 11 individuals.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the victims were deceived by a fellow Ghanaian who allegedly promised to facilitate their travel to Canada and Spain.
Each victim reportedly paid GH¢40,000 for the promised travel arrangements before being taken to Nigeria and allegedly detained against their will.
The police said the rescued individuals are currently receiving the necessary care and support as detectives intensify investigations to identify and arrest all persons suspected of involvement in the operation.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, commended the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for its swift response and professionalism in securing the victims’ release.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives, tackling transnational crime and preventing criminal networks from exploiting unsuspecting members of the public.
Mr Ojajuni stressed that the police would continue their operations until those responsible were arrested and brought to justice.
The command has also urged the public to thoroughly verify overseas travel offers and visa-processing arrangements before making financial commitments. It encouraged people to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
The police further emphasised their commitment to intelligence-led operations, cooperation with other security agencies and decisive action against criminal networks.
