The Ondo State Police Command has rescued 20 individuals allegedly held against their will in connection with a suspected Ponzi scheme in Akure.
The state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, revealed this during a press briefing at the command headquarters, where he also announced the arrest of a 26-year-old suspect, Sakariya Sadiq, for alleged fraud and unlawful confinement.
According to Afolabi, the investigation began after several parents reported their children missing.
The victims, who had traveled from Osun and Oyo States in November 2024, were reportedly seeking job opportunities introduced to them by a friend.
Acting on intelligence, the command’s surveillance team traced the individuals to a residence in the Oba-Ile area of Akure and rescued them on April 24, 2025.
Sadiq was arrested at the scene.
The police alleged that the victims were lured into joining a group called “Quest International Company,” which promised high financial returns.
Each person was allegedly required to pay ₦1.5 million and recruit two others to join.
The suspect claimed the payments were for items such as Chi-pendants, Bio-Discs, and accommodation.
The rescued victims are receiving assistance and will be reunited with their families, while Sadiq will face charges after the investigation is concluded.
In a related development, the police arrested another suspect, Iyabode Oluwakemi, for allegedly defrauding job seekers by posing as someone able to secure federal government employment.
One victim claimed to have lost ₦5.3 million to her. Further investigations revealed that many others were also defrauded, with total losses exceeding ₦250 million.
Detectives from the Special Enquiry Unit apprehended Oluwakemi, who is also expected to be charged in court once investigations are complete.
In another case, police arrested a 42-year-old man, Ayodele Temitope, for allegedly stealing a Dyna truck in Akure and selling it for ₦1.8 million in Ibadan.
Two other stolen vehicles—a Nissan Primera and a Toyota Camry—were recovered from different locations in Oyo State.
Commissioner Afolabi reiterated the command’s commitment to ongoing investigations and the prosecution of all individuals involved in criminal activities.