Ogun Police Rescue 11 Ghanaians Allegedly Lured With Canada, Spain Visa Promises
OGUN — Police in Ogun State say they have rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals who were allegedly brought to Nigeria with promises of Canadian and Spanish visas and then held against their will in Sagamu.
The Ogun State Police Command said operatives of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit carried out the rescue after receiving intelligence on October 19, 2026.
The rescued group comprises seven men and four women, according to the command.
Police allege GH₵40,000 payments
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the 11 were allegedly deceived by a fellow Ghanaian national who promised to facilitate their travel abroad.
According to the police account, each person reportedly paid GH₵40,000 before travelling to Nigeria.
The command alleges that they were subsequently held against their will in Sagamu.
Those claims remain part of an ongoing police investigation and have not been established by a court.
Detectives searching for suspects
The Ogun State Police Command said detectives were working to identify and arrest people connected with what it described as an alleged criminal network.
Current reporting reviewed by IDNN does not establish that anyone has been arrested or charged in connection with this specific case.
That distinction is important.
The existence of an investigation does not establish that any identified person committed fraud, kidnapping, trafficking or another offence.
Rescued nationals receiving support
Police said the 11 rescued Ghanaian nationals were receiving care and support after the operation.
Their identities have not been published by IDNN.
The command also advised members of the public to verify overseas travel and visa-processing arrangements before making payments.
Cross-border questions remain
The case raises questions beyond the immediate rescue.
If the police account is confirmed, investigators will need to establish how 11 Ghanaian nationals were recruited, brought into Nigeria and allegedly held in Sagamu after payments were made for supposed overseas travel arrangements.
It is also unclear from the public record reviewed by IDNN whether Nigerian and Ghanaian authorities are coordinating on the investigation, protection of the rescued nationals or their return arrangements.
No official Ghanaian government response has been established in the material reviewed for this story.
The immediate verified fact is that Ogun police say they rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals in Sagamu.
The alleged recruitment method, payments and criminal network remain matters under investigation.
WHAT TO WATCH
- Identification or arrest of any suspect
- Formal charges, if filed
- Ghanaian government or law-enforcement response
- Evidence on how the 11 entered Nigeria
- Whether additional alleged victims are identified
- Protection or repatriation arrangements for the rescued group
