NEWS
NSCDC Uncovers Suspected Fake University in Lagos, Rescues 106 Youths, Arrests Alleged Proprietor
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, rescuing 106 youths allegedly recruited into the scheme.
The operation also led to the arrest of the alleged proprietor, who is accused of luring prospective students from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of securing admission into a foreign university.
The raid was carried out in the early hours of Monday after several days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance by NSCDC operatives.
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 regarding the activities 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 revealed that the rescued youths, most of whom are between the ages of 19 and 24, were recruited from various 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 ₦200,000 to ₦1.5 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.
According to the corps, the recruitment model bore striking similarities to a Ponzi or chain-marketing scheme, with participants allegedly promised increasing earnings based on the number of new recruits they introduced into the programme.
One of the rescued individuals reportedly told investigators that after paying $400 to enrol, he convinced his brother in Kogi State to join the programme and had already begun receiving referral commissions.
Further investigations also revealed that some participants were allegedly engaged in promoting unidentified products online, earning commissions from both product sales and the recruitment of new members, raising further concerns about the true nature of the operation.
Expressing concern over the development, Ekunola said many parents appeared to be unaware of what their children were actually doing in Badagry.
“We have begun contacting their families. One parent told us her child had informed the family that he travelled to Badagry to learn a trade, not to attend a university. That clearly shows many parents had no idea what was really going on,” he said.
The area commander disclosed that all 106 rescued youths would undergo proper profiling before being reunited with their families after the conclusion of investigations.
He added that anyone found culpable in operating the suspected illegal institution would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Ekunola further revealed that the investigation has been expanded to uncover the full network behind the operation, identify other collaborators and determine whether similar schemes are operatin
g in other parts of the country.