The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has dismantled an illegal university operating in the Imeke area of Olorunda Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, rescuing 107 students and arresting six suspects allegedly involved in running unauthorised academic programmes, illegal admissions and a Ponzi scheme.

The operation was carried out in the early hours of 20 July 2026, following intelligence reports about the institution’s activities. According to the NSCDC, the institution—whose identity has been withheld for investigative purposes—was offering unaccredited courses, including Nursing, while deceiving prospective students with fraudulent admission offers.

The Lagos State Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluwaseun Abolurin, said the institution also compelled students to participate in a Ponzi scheme after securing admission.

He stated that six suspects, aged between 24 and 31, were arrested during the raid, while the 107 students were identified as victims of the fraudulent operation.

The Lagos State Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, directed that the suspects and exhibits recovered from the operation be transferred to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Keshinro also advised prospective students and parents to verify the accreditation status of institutions before accepting admission offers, warning that fraudsters continue to exploit desperate admission seekers.

Beyond the fake university operation, the NSCDC disclosed that it arrested 12 additional suspects in separate operations linked to illegal migration, human trafficking, Ponzi schemes, cross-border crimes and vandalism.

Among those arrested were nationals of Cameroon, Niger Republic, and Nigeria, while 10 Cameroonian nationals who were allegedly trafficked into Nigeria were rescued.

According to the command, investigations revealed that the victims had suffered exploitation for months at the hands of criminal syndicates seeking financial gain.

The NSCDC also confirmed the arrest of suspects allegedly involved in facilitating illegal migration and Ponzi schemes in the Badagry axis, adding that those connected to immigration-related offences would be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further action.

In a separate development, the command announced that seven suspects, including five minors aged between 12 and 16, had been arrested and prosecuted for allegedly vandalising public school infrastructure in Ibereko, Badagry. The suspects were accused of damaging school property, including desks, electrical cables and office facilities.

The NSCDC reaffirmed that attacks on public infrastructure, particularly educational facilities, would not be tolerated and warned that perpetrators would continue to face the full weight of the law.