Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have uncovered a suspected illegal university allegedly operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
During the operation, the agency rescued 106 young people and arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, who is accused of luring prospective students with promises of admission into a foreign university.
The raid, carried out in the early hours of Monday, followed days of intelligence gathering and surveillance by NSCDC operatives.
According to the agency, the institution had no official name, registration, signboard or recognised campus but allegedly operated online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university.
The Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation was launched after credible intelligence exposed the activities of the suspected operators.
He disclosed that the suspect is assisting investigators, while the rescued youths have been placed in protective custody pending the conclusion of investigations.
Preliminary findings indicated that the victims, mostly between the ages of 19 and 24, were recruited from several states across Nigeria, including Kogi, Oyo and parts of northern Nigeria. Others reportedly came from neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Togo after responding to online advertisements.
Investigators alleged that the victims paid between ₦200,000 and ₦1.5 million as admission and processing fees, while some foreign applicants reportedly paid between $400 and $500 after being promised admission into a foreign institution.
The investigation further revealed that participants were allegedly encouraged to recruit other students in return for financial rewards, a structure authorities said resembled a Ponzi or multi-level marketing scheme.
One of the rescued victims reportedly told investigators he paid $400 to join the programme and later persuaded his brother in Kogi State to enrol, earning commissions through referrals.
The NSCDC also alleged that some participants were involved in promoting unidentified products online while receiving commissions from product sales and recruitment activities.
Ekunola expressed concern that many parents were unaware of the true nature of their children’s activities, noting that one parent believed her child had travelled to Badagry to learn a vocational trade rather than attend a university.
He said all 106 rescued youths would be profiled and reunited with their families after investigations are concluded.
The NSCDC added that anyone found culpable in operating the suspected illegal institution would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, while efforts have been intensified to uncover other members of the network and determine whether similar operations exist elsewhere in the country.
Credit: Daily Post except headline
