The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, has uncovered an alleged N16.17 million fake pregnancy scam and recorded significant breakthroughs in its crackdown on counterfeit products, human trafficking, and infrastructure vandalism.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the FCID Annex, Mr. Simeon Akpanudom, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists on the department’s achievements between March 30 and June 25.
Akpanudom said the command had intensified efforts against economic crimes, fraud, human trafficking, and attacks on critical national infrastructure, leading to several high-profile arrests and recoveries.
One of the most striking cases under investigation involves allegations of obtaining money by false pretense, conspiracy, cheating, and illegal abortion.
According to the AIG, the case arose from a petition filed by a man who accused his 22-year-old fiancée of falsely claiming she was pregnant and collecting money from him for antenatal care, medical treatment, and other related expenses.
“The total amount obtained from the complainant is N16.17 million,” Akpanudom said.
Investigations, he added, revealed that the pregnancy was allegedly terminated at about five months at a private medical facility in Ajah, Lagos.
He said the suspect and a nurse linked to the facility had been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Center, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the medical director allegedly involved in the procedure.
In another major breakthrough, the FCID uncovered a large cache of counterfeit cosmetic products following a petition by Flawless Cosmetics over the illegal importation and counterfeiting of Baby Secret Cream.
Akpanudom disclosed that detectives recovered 331 cartons of fake Baby Secret Cream from a warehouse in the Trade Fair Market area of Lagos.
Several suspects found in possession of the products have been arrested and are assisting investigators in tracking down the alleged mastermind of the operation.
The AIG also revealed that operatives dismantled a syndicate allegedly involved in vandalizing telecommunications installations and other critical infrastructure across Lagos State.
Recovered exhibits included a locally made pistol, a live cartridge, solar batteries, solar panels, cutting tools, ropes, tricycles, and vehicles allegedly used in carrying out the criminal activities.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that the recovered items were used in the vandalism of telecommunication installations and other critical infrastructure across Lagos State,” he said.
He added that efforts were underway to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate ahead of their prosecution.
On human trafficking and transnational crimes, Akpanudom said INTERPOL operatives attached to the FCID rescued 45 trafficking victims during the period under review.
He disclosed that four suspected traffickers were arrested, four persons on international watchlists and Red Notices were apprehended, while two suspects arrested abroad were successfully returned to Nigeria.
The AIG further revealed that the FCID Annex received 1,762 petitions and complaints within the three-month period, with 56 cases concluded and already before various courts.
Reaffirming the department’s commitment to combating crime and protecting critical national infrastructure, Akpanudom urged Nigerians to continue providing credible and actionable intelligence to support law enforcement efforts.
He stressed that public cooperation remains crucial to enhancing security, preventing crime, and ensuring the successful prosecution of offenders across the country.
SOURCE: NAN
