Tag: Ondo

SIX MEN ARRESTED FOR STAGING FAKE MIRACLES IN ONDO STATE

Idanre, Ondo State – Six men accused of posing as pastors and orchestrating fake miracles to defraud residents of the Idanre community in Ondo State have been arrested by the police. The suspects, identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola, and Ademola, were apprehended on February 16, 2026. According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, the arrests were made by operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams in collaboration with Community Safety Officers, following an intelligence-led operation. Kazeem stated that the suspects allegedly "organised and executed fraudulent schemes by disguising themselves as religious leaders and exploiting the faith of unsuspecting members of the public." Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects "posed as pastors and religious leaders, staging fake miracles and spiritual interventions to gain the confidence and trust of their victims," the statement read. The group is accused of promising divine solutions to financial hardship, health challenges, and other personal problems, subsequently obtaining money and valuables from victims under false pretenses. Investigators further disclosed that the suspects reportedly operated in a coordinated structure, with each member assigned specific roles to project legitimacy and reinforce their illusion of spiritual authority. The Command has confirmed that efforts are underway to determine the total number of victims, assess the financial scale of the alleged fraud, and track down any possible accomplices. Kazeem added that "all the suspects are currently in police custody and will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation." The police have issued a warning to residents, urging them to exercise caution and avoid individuals who use religion or claims of miraculous powers as a cover for criminal activities.