The police command in Ogun has arrested two members of a Cameroonian human trafficking syndicate allegedly involved in luring and kidnapping unsuspecting victims under the pretext of visa processing.

Police spokeswoman Omolola Odutola disclosed this in a statement on Friday. The command said the suspects, identified as Ndzana Kamga Isidore and Tingue Stephen, were apprehended by operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit at Mowe.

The police said that the suspects were arrested following a distress call from a Cameroonian victim who escaped captivity.

The victim was deceived by a suspect, Donald (a Cameroonian), into traveling from Cameroon to Nigeria on September 29, with a promise to help her secure a Canadian visa.

“Upon her arrival at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, she and her 23-year-old sister were taken to the Mowe area in Ogun, where they were held hostage. Following credible intelligence, our tactical team stormed the criminal hideout at Pakuro, Mowe, and rescued one victim, Kengne Maeva, unhurt.

“Two suspects were arrested at the scene, while the principal suspect, Donald, is currently at large,” said the police.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims’ family members had paid a ransom of 3.6 million CFA francs into the bank account of the fleeing suspect, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, police commissioner Lanre Ogunlowo has directed tactical commanders to collaborate with community leaders and development associations to report suspicious foreign nationals renting apartments.

(NAN)