The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a suspected fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in the Ilado area of Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Badagry, Lagos State, rescuing 106 youths allegedly defrauded through a bogus foreign admission scheme.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Monday by operatives of the NSCDC Badagry Area Command, followed days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance. Authorities arrested the suspected mastermind, who is currently assisting investigators.
According to the Badagry Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, the raid was based on credible intelligence indicating suspicious activities at the apartment.
“Our operation was based on credible intelligence. We monitored the place for days before carrying out the raid,” Ekunola said.
Investigations revealed that the so-called institution had no official name, registration, accreditation, campus or signboard. It allegedly operated from a rented apartment while presenting itself online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university.
The victims, most of whom are between 19 and 24 years old, were reportedly lured from different parts of Nigeria, including Kogi, Oyo and several northern states, as well as neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Niger Republic and Togo, with promises of securing admission into a foreign university.
Preliminary investigations showed that victims paid between N200,000 and N1.5 million as admission and processing fees, while some foreign nationals reportedly paid between $400 and $500.
The NSCDC also uncovered what appeared to be a multi-level recruitment system, where participants were encouraged to recruit more students in exchange for commissions.
Some of the rescued youths were also allegedly involved in promoting unidentified products online while earning commissions from sales and recruitment.
One victim reportedly told investigators that after paying $400, he convinced his brother in Kogi State to join the scheme and had already begun earning referral commissions.
Ekunola said many parents were unaware of the true purpose of their children’s trip to Badagry.
“In one case, a parent said her child told her he travelled to Badagry to learn a trade, not to attend any university. This clearly shows that several parents were completely unaware of what was actually going on,” he said.
The rescued youths have been taken into protective custody for profiling and further investigation, while efforts are underway to reunite them with their families.
The NSCDC said investigations have been expanded to determine the full scope of the alleged syndicate, identify other collaborators and establish whether similar fake institutions are operating in other parts of the country.
Authorities believe the operation may be linked to a wider cross-border fraud network targeting young people seeking opportunities to study abroad. Those found culpable in operating the illegal institution or participating in the fraudulent scheme will face prosecution in accordance with the law.
