Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Badagry Area Command, have uncovered a suspected fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, within the Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
The security agency rescued 106 youths allegedly recruited into the scheme.
The operation also led to the arrest of the alleged proprietor, who is accused of enticing prospective students from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.
The raid was conducted in the early hours of Monday after several days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance by NSCDC personnel.
According to the corps, the institution had no official name, registration, signboard or recognised campus, yet allegedly presented itself online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university.
Speaking on the operation, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the raid followed credible intelligence on the activities taking place at the apartment.
“We received reliable intelligence regarding the activities at the location. Our operatives kept the premises under surveillance for several days before carrying out the operation. The proprietor has been arrested and is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been placed under protective custody,” Ekunola said.
Preliminary investigations showed that the rescued youths, most of whom are between 19 and 24 years old, were recruited from different states across Nigeria, including Kogi, Oyo and several northern states. Others reportedly travelled from neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Togo after being recruited through online platforms.
The NSCDC alleged that the victims paid admission and processing fees ranging from N200,000 to N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals reportedly paid between $400 and $500 after being promised admission into a foreign higher institution.
Investigators also discovered that participants were allegedly required to recruit additional students in exchange for financial commissions.
Credit: dailypost.ng
