The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended 26 foreign nationals following an investigation into a reported kidnapping case that was later discovered to be false.
According to information gathered by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), those detained include 19 nationals of Chad and seven citizens of Cameroon.
The case began when a 22-year-old Cameroonian woman reported to the police that she had been kidnapped after travelling to Nigeria to meet a 39-year-old Chadian man she had been communicating with online.
However, investigations later revealed that the kidnapping allegation was unfounded and was allegedly made after the woman discovered that the man she had travelled to meet was already married.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Fatai Tijani, directed that the matter be transferred from Area N Command, Ijede, Ikorodu, to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for a comprehensive investigation.
A police source disclosed that the report, which was made on June 16, triggered an immediate rescue operation by security operatives.
According to the source, language barriers initially complicated the investigation because the complainant was unable to communicate effectively in English, leading officers to initially treat the matter as a genuine kidnapping case.
“The woman travelled from Cameroon to meet her lover whom she had been communicating with online but became disappointed after discovering that he was married.
“She subsequently sought a way to return home without informing him and reported that she had been kidnapped,” the source explained.
During the operation, police traced the location where the woman claimed she was being held and discovered several foreign nationals living in an apartment.
The operation resulted in the apprehension of 26 foreigners between the ages of 19 and 50, including four women.
According to investigators, the individuals claimed they were engaged in a networking business linked to a company identified as Ignite.
Police further disclosed that many of the individuals were unable to present valid travel documents, while some are suspected to have entered Nigeria through irregular routes.
“The foreigners could not provide valid travel documents, while some are suspected to have entered the country through irregular routes.
“They are currently undergoing profiling and immigration-related checks to determine their legal status and whether any laws have been violated,” the source said.
The investigation is being handled by the Diplomatic and Foreigners Desk of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dayo Akinbisehin.
Authorities said investigations remain ongoing and that further action will be determined based on the outcome of profiling and immigration checks.
