‎Nigerian Police Uncover Fake Visa Scam Centre in Ogun, Rescue 11 Ghanaians Promised Canadian Visas

The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a centre used to defraud people with fake visas in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria. Officers rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals from the facility in Sagamu, where they had been promised visas to travel to Canada.

The victims were Ghanaian citizens who believed they were on a legitimate path to Canada. Instead, they ended up at a scam operation in a Nigerian town, outside any official visa process.

A familiar pattern
The Sagamu case fits a pattern seen across Nigeria in recent years. This is background from earlier, separate cases, not details of the Sagamu operation.

In July 2025, Ondo State police said they rescued 40 Ghanaian nationals allegedly trafficked into Nigeria under false pretences. The police statement said the victims travelled on false assurances of lucrative jobs and visa arrangements to Canada and other Western countries.

That operation followed a petition sent through the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters in Abuja. Another report said the rescued Ghanaians were found without valid travel documents or with expired ones.

Earlier, in April 2025, Ondo's Amotekun Corps said it had dismantled a syndicate that lured Ghanaians with promises of visas to the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. The Corps said victims paid sums such as $2,000 or $1,500 before being kidnapped and housed in Oda town.

Ogun State itself has seen similar crackdowns. In September 2026, police there arrested 23 foreign nationals after a raid on a building in the Ota area over an alleged Ponzi scheme, visa scam and other immigration-related offences.

Why it matters for Ghana
For Ghanaians, the risk begins before they leave home. Scammers promise quick visas, jobs or "processing" in a third country, then collect fees and strip victims of control once they arrive.

Many victims travel willingly, often with savings or borrowed money, and only realized the danger when they reach the destination.

Safety advice for would-be travellers
Apply only through official embassy, high commission or accredited visa-centre channels.

Be suspicious of anyone who asks you to travel to another country to "process" a visa.

Verify agents and recruiters independently before paying.

Tell family exactly where you are going and keep your passport and phone with you.

Report suspicious offers to the police or the Ghanaian authorities.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/Science communicator, Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,United States Institute of Peace (USIP), [email protected] +233555275880

References:
Guardian Nigeria: "Human trafficking: Ondo police rescue 40 Ghanaians, arrest three suspects" (guardian.ng, July 2025)

Gazette NG: "Ondo police rescue 40 Ghanaians trafficked into Nigeria, arrest three suspects" (gazettengr.com, July 2025)

TheCable: "Police rescue 40 trafficked Ghanaians in Ondo, arrest three suspects" (thecable.ng)

Gazette NG: "Kidnap syndicate lured Ghanaians to Nigeria for U.S., Canadian visas: Amotekun" (gazettengr.com, April 2025)

Leadership: "Police Arrest 23 Foreigners Over Alleged Ponzi Scheme, Visa Scam In Ogun" (leadership.ng, September 2026)