NSCDC Arrests Operator Of Fake University In Lagos, Rescues 106 Students

By Ayodele Oni

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) have arrested an operator of an illegal university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Lagos State. 106 young people enrolled in the scheme were rescued.

NSCDC revealed that the illegal institution, which offered admissions to foreigners and Nigerians, was busted after a raid of the area.

The raid, carried out by the NSCDC Badagry Area Command in the early hours of Monday, also led to the arrest of the alleged proprietor accused of luring students with promises of admission into a foreign university.

According to the NSCDC, the institution had no official registration, recognised campus, signboard or registered name.

Despite this, it allegedly advertised itself online as a distance learning centre affiliated with a foreign university.

Badagry Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, disclosed that the operation followed credible intelligence and days of surveillance on suspicious activities at the location.

“The suspect is in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations, while the rescued youths have been placed under protective care.

“Preliminary findings showed that most of the rescued individuals, aged between 19 and 24, were recruited from Kogi, Oyo and several northern states.

“Others reportedly travelled from neighbouring countries including Niger, Cameroon and Togo after responding to online recruitment campaigns.”

Investigators alleged that victims paid admission and processing fees ranging from N200,000 to N1.5 million.

Some foreign applicants were said to have paid between $400 and $500 after being promised admission into a foreign institution.

The NSCDC further alleged that participants were encouraged to recruit new members in exchange for financial rewards, describing the arrangement as similar to a Ponzi-style or chain marketing scheme where earnings depended on the number of recruits.

One of the rescued youths reportedly told investigators that after paying $400 to join, he convinced his brother in Kogi to enrol and had already started receiving referral commissions.

The Corps also said some participants were allegedly made to promote unidentified products online, earning commissions from both product sales and recruitment of additional members.

NSCDC expressed concern that many parents were unaware of their children’s activities in Badagry.

It cited the case of a parent who said her child told the family he had travelled to acquire vocational skills, not to attend a university.

The NSCDC said efforts were underway to contact the families of all those rescued. The youths will be profiled before being reunited with their relatives after investigations.

“Anyone found culpable in operating this suspected illegal institution will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” Ekunola stated.

He added that investigations had been expanded to identify other individuals connected to the operation and to determine if similar schemes are running in other parts of the country.