Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Badagry have uncovered a suspected fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in the Ilado area of Lagos State and rescued 106 youths allegedly enrolled in the scheme.
The operation, carried out after days of surveillance and intelligence gathering, led to the arrest of the alleged proprietor, who is accused of luring young people from across Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.
According to the NSCDC, the institution had no recognised name, registration or campus but allegedly operated online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university.
Most of the rescued youths, aged between 19 and 24, were reportedly recruited from several Nigerian states as well as Niger, Cameroon and Togo.
Preliminary investigations revealed that victims paid admission and processing fees ranging from N200,000 to N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals reportedly paid between $400 and $500.
Investigators also discovered that participants were encouraged to recruit others in exchange for commissions, a system authorities said resembled a Ponzi-style operation.
The Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Gbenga Ekunola, said efforts were underway to contact families of the affected youths, many of whom were unaware of the true nature of the programme.
He added that investigations had been expanded to identify other individuals connected to the operation and determine whether similar schemes exist elsewhere in the country.
