The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has uncovered a fake university in the Imeke area of Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, where operators allegedly admitted students into unaccredited programmes and compelled them to join a Ponzi scheme.
The NSCDC said six suspects were arrested during the operation, while 107 students were rescued from the illegal institution.
The Corps Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Oluwaseun Abolurin, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
According to the statement, the fake institution was discovered during an operation carried out by NSCDC operatives on Monday.00
It read, “On Monday, July 20, 2026, at about 6:00 a.m., NSCDC operatives smashed a fake university (name withheld) located in Imeke village, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, suspected of operating illegal admissions and running unaccredited courses, including Nursing.
“The operatives arrested six suspects, aged between 24 and 31 years, in connection with the fake university uncovered in Imeke, Badagry.
“Unfortunately, about 107 unsuspecting students were lured into joining a Ponzi scheme after obtaining admission into the institution.”
The statement quoted the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, as directing that the suspects and exhibits recovered from the fake institution be handed over to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for further investigation and prosecution.
Keshinro warned prospective students to be wary of fraudulent admission offers, noting that desperate admission seekers often fall victim to criminal schemes.
“Students should be wary of desperate admissions, which may later turn into fraudulent schemes because of the desperation of some people to make money,” he said.
The command also announced the arrest of 12 other suspects in separate operations linked to illegal migration, human trafficking, Ponzi schemes, cross-border crimes and vandalism.
Among those arrested were a Cameroonian, a Nigerien and several Nigerians.
The operations also led to the rescue of 10 Cameroonian nationals allegedly trafficked into Nigeria.
According to the statement, the victims “have toiled and suffered for months in the hands of these evil doers, who are only interested in dehumanising their fellow human beings for profit.”
It added, “On Sunday, July 19, 2026, one Cameroonian suspect was arrested in connection with a Ponzi scheme and facilitating illegal entry into Nigeria.
“One more suspect was also arrested on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Alafia Community, Itoga Road, Badagry, in connection with human trafficking and facilitating illegal entry into Nigeria.
“The operatives also arrested three foreign nationals, including one male from the Niger Republic, linked to Ponzi scheme operations, illegal migration and the subversion of extant laws and government policies in the Itoga and Imeke areas of Badagry.”
Abolurin said the suspects arrested over illegal migration and related offences would be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action.
The NSCDC also disclosed that seven suspects had been arrested and prosecuted for vandalising public school facilities in Ibereko, Badagry.
It noted that five of the suspects were between 12 and 16 years old.
The suspects allegedly vandalised school infrastructure, including desks, electrical cables and office facilities.
“On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at about 2:00 p.m., all seven suspects involved in the vandalism of public utilities and school infrastructure in Ibereko, Badagry, were arrested and prosecuted after investigations were concluded.
“Attacks on school infrastructure will not be tolerated in any form in the state,” the statement added.
Source: Punch
