Police Rescue 50 Foreigners Trapped in Lagos Building by Job Scammers

In a recent operation, Lagos State Police successfully rescued 50 stranded foreigners, including children, from a duplex on Omola Road in the Edemola area of Epe, Lagos. The individuals, all from neighbouring African countries, fell victim to a notorious gang of job scammers.

Investigations conducted at the Okeoyibo Police Division, where the rescued individuals were taken, revealed that they hailed from Cameroon and Gabon. According to police reports, they were lured into Nigeria with promises of lucrative job opportunities by the Cameroonian scam gang.

The victims, having paid an undisclosed sum to the fraudsters, embarked on the journey to Nigeria, some even selling their possessions, including houses, to finance the trip in hopes of securing the promised jobs. Upon arrival, they were confined to the duplex with strict instructions not to leave until employment was secured.

Shockingly, some of the individuals had been trapped in the building for up to six months before the police intervention. Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hudenyin, confirmed that the main suspect, believed to be the ringleader, had fled to Cameroon. However, 34 persons were successfully rescued.

“These individuals are not kidnapping victims; rather, they were deceived by individuals from Cameroon who falsely advertised job opportunities in Nigeria. They have been exploited, left stranded, and depleted of their resources,” SP Benjamin Hudenyin stated.

The police are currently pursuing leads to apprehend the perpetrators and ensure justice for the victims of this elaborate scam.