The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Lagos State Command has uncovered and dismantled an illegal immigrants’ camp in Badagry, linked to transnational fraud, human trafficking, unlawful detention and extortion.
The operation, carried out in Torikoh community, followed intelligence reports received by officers at the Badagry Divisional Headquarters. The raid was led by the Divisional Officer, CSC Ekunola Gbenga, after a victim alerted authorities to activities at the camp.
The victim, Atokar Allah Iderim, a 28-year-old nurse from the Central African Republic, told operatives he was trafficked into Nigeria after being lured with false promises of employment tied to QNET, an online network marketing scheme.
According to preliminary investigations, the victim was brought into Nigeria from Togo by a Facebook acquaintance identified as Lansu Alex. He was allegedly confined in the camp alongside other foreign nationals, where they were subjected to intimidation, extortion and exploitation under the guise of investment opportunities.
During the operation, NSCDC personnel arrested four suspects — three Togolese nationals and one citizen of Benin — while rescuing 17 victims, comprising 12 men and five women between the ages of 25 and 35.
The Command disclosed that the suspects attempted to bribe the officers with 130,000 CFA in a bid to evade arrest, but the offer was rejected. The money was documented as part of exhibits recovered from the scene.
Other items seized during the raid included an HP laptop, mobile phones, files, QNET-branded documents, leather bags and pharmaceutical products allegedly used in controlling the victims.
Investigators also found that recruits from several West African countries were allegedly required to pay up to 650,000 CFA before joining the fraudulent scheme, with many deceived by promises of lucrative business opportunities in Nigeria.
The NSCDC further revealed that the syndicate operates several camps across Badagry communities, including Aradagun, Mowo, Badagry Town and Limca, with some suspects fleeing before the operatives arrived.
Reacting to the operation, Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, warned those involved in human trafficking, internet fraud and other cross-border crimes to desist or face the full weight of the law.
He said the arrested suspects and rescued victims had been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service Lagos State Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The latest raid comes shortly after the Badagry division uncovered a suspected baby factory in Okuju Ilado, where 18 pregnant women, two adult females and 10 children were rescued in a separate operation.