NSCDC UNCOVERS ALLEGED FAKE UNIVERSITY, RESCUES 106 YOUTHS IN BADAGRY
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Badagry Area Command, has uncovered an alleged fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, of Lagos State, and rescued 106 youths allegedly lured into the scheme.
The Corps also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, which reportedly recruited young people from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Monday after days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance, exposed what security officials described as an alleged fraudulent academic and recruitment scheme.
The youths, mostly aged between 19 and 24, were taken into protective custody by the NSCDC for profiling and further investigation.
Speaking on the development, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the command on activities at the apartment.
Preliminary investigations indicated that unsuspecting young people were allegedly persuaded to pay admission and processing fees after being promised admission into a foreign tertiary institution.
The victims reportedly paid between N200,000 and N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals and other participants allegedly paid between 400 and 500 dollars.
The development has raised fresh concerns over the growing activities of fraudulent online admission schemes targeting young people seeking educational opportunities, particularly foreign academic programmes.
