NSCDC Dismantles Illegal Immigrants’ Camp in Badagry, Rescues 17 Foreign Victims
Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command, have dismantled a suspected transnational human trafficking and fraudulent network marketing camp in Badagry, rescuing 17 foreign nationals allegedly held under exploitative conditions.
The operation, carried out in Torikoh community of Badagry, also led to the arrest of four foreign suspects linked to alleged internet fraud, unlawful detention, extortion and organised cross-border criminal activities.
The Lagos State Command of the NSCDC said the raid was conducted by operatives of the Badagry Divisional Headquarters under the leadership of the Divisional Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSC) Ekunola Gbenga, following credible intelligence and surveillance around the border communities.
According to the Command, the operation was part of ongoing intelligence-driven security reforms being implemented under the leadership of the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
A statement signed by the Lagos State Civil Defence Public Relations Officer, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin, disclosed that the investigation began after a victim, identified as Mr. Atokar Allah Iderim, a 28-year-old nurse from the Central African Republic, reported to the Badagry Division on May 7, 2026.
The victim allegedly told operatives that he was deceived and trafficked into Nigeria through false promises of employment opportunities connected to an internet-based network marketing scheme identified as “QNET.”
Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was lured from Togo into Nigeria by a Facebook acquaintance identified as Lansu Alex and subsequently confined in a camp where he and other foreign nationals were allegedly subjected to intimidation, extortion, unlawful confinement and exploitation under the guise of business and investment opportunities.
Acting on the intelligence, CSC Ekunola Gbenga and his tactical team stormed the hideout in a coordinated raid that resulted in the arrest of three Togolese nationals and one Beninese national.
The operation also led to the rescue of 17 victims, comprising 12 males and five females aged between 25 and 35 years.
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NSCDC said the suspects allegedly attempted to bribe operatives with 130,000 CFA in a bid to evade arrest, but the offer was rejected by the officers and documented as part of exhibits linked to the investigation.
Items recovered from the camp included an HP laptop, mobile phones, files, QNET-branded documents, leather bags and pharmaceutical products allegedly used in administering and controlling victims within the camp.
Further intelligence gathered by the NSCDC indicated that recruits from different West African countries were allegedly compelled to pay as much as 650,000 CFA before joining the fraudulent scheme.
Investigators also discovered that the criminal network allegedly operates through multiple camps located across Badagry communities, including Aradagun, Mowo, Badagry Town and Limca.
While some camps were identified during the operation, several suspected operators reportedly fled after sensing the arrival of NSCDC tactical teams.
Security experts described the operation as a major breakthrough against growing transnational organised crime and criminal migration networks operating around Nigeria’s border communities.
The latest operation adds to recent high-profile successes recorded by the Badagry Division under CSC Ekunola Gbenga.
Only recently, the same division dismantled a suspected baby factory in Okuju Ilado, Badagry, rescuing 18 pregnant women, two adult females, 10 children and arresting a male suspect after weeks of surveillance and intelligence gathering.
Reacting to the latest operation, the Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Adedotun Keshinro, warned criminal syndicates involved in human trafficking, internet fraud, economic sabotage and cross-border crimes to desist or face the full weight of the law.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and directed that the suspects and victims be transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, for further investigation and necessary legal action.
Keshinro also assured residents and the international community that the NSCDC under the leadership of Commandant General Ahmed Audi remains committed to dismantling criminal networks threatening the security and economic stability of Nigeria and the wider West African region.
By PRNigeria
