- Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command apprehend six suspects for staging fake miracles to defraud residents.
- The suspects allegedly operated as a syndicate, promising divine solutions to financial and health challenges to extort victims.
- Police warn the public to remain vigilant against fraudulent individuals using religion as a cover for criminal activities.
The Ondo State Police Command has announced the arrest of six men accused of posing as Christian clerics to execute an elaborate “miracle scam” targeting residents of the Idanre community.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the suspects, identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola, and Ademola, were reportedly apprehended following an intelligence-led operation aimed at dismantling a growing fraud syndicate within the Idanre Local Government Area and its surrounding environs.
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The arrests, which took place on February 16, 2026, were the result of a coordinated effort between the Command’s Tactical Teams and Community Safety Officers.
In an official statement released on Thursday, February 26, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, detailed the sophisticated nature of the alleged fraudulent scheme.
According to Kazeem, the suspects disguised themselves as legitimate religious leaders to exploit the deep-seated faith of unsuspecting members of the public.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the police reveal that the group specialized in staging “fake miracles” and spiritual interventions.
These theatrics were designed to gain the absolute confidence and trust of their victims before proceeding to extort money and other valuable assets under the guise of divine service.
The syndicate reportedly capitalized on the vulnerability of citizens facing various life struggles, including severe financial hardship, chronic health challenges, and personal family crises.
By promising supernatural solutions to these problems, the group was able to obtain significant sums of money under false pretenses.
Police investigators further disclosed that the suspects operated within a highly coordinated structure, with each member assigned a specific role.
This professionalized approach was intended to project an image of religious legitimacy and reinforce the illusion of genuine spiritual authority during their “crusades” or private sessions.
While the suspects remain in police custody, the Ondo State Police Command has indicated that efforts are still ongoing to determine the full financial scale of the fraud and the total number of individuals who fell victim to the scam. Operatives are also tracking possible accomplices who may still be operating at large within the state.
“All the suspects are currently in police custody and will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” Kazeem added, noting that the police are determined to ensure that justice is served for the defrauded residents.
This development serves as a stark reminder of the rise in religious-based fraud across various parts of the country.
The Ondo State Police Command has issued a strong warning to the general public, urging residents to exercise extreme caution when dealing with individuals who make extraordinary claims of miraculous powers, especially when such claims are tied to financial demands.
The command emphasized that criminal elements are increasingly using religion as a convenient shield to perpetrate malfeasance, and citizens must remain discerning to avoid being exploited by “wolves in sheep’s clothing.”
