POLICE ARREST SIX MEN FOR POSING AS PASTORS, STAGING FAKE MIRACLES TO DEFRAUD RESIDENTS IN ONDO

The police have arrested six men accused of posing as pastors and staging fake miracles to defraud residents of Idanre community in Idanre Local Government Area of Ondo State. The suspects were identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, said the arrests were made on February 16, 2026, by operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams working in collaboration with Community Safety Officers. Kazeem explained that the suspects were apprehended following what the police described as an intelligence-led operation targeting a suspected fraud syndicate operating within Idanre and surrounding areas.

According to Kazeem, 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 police said the group allegedly promised divine solutions to financial hardship, health challenges and other personal problems, only to obtain money and valuables from victims under false pretences. Kazeem noted that investigators further disclosed that the suspects reportedly operated in a coordinated structure, assigning specific roles among themselves to project legitimacy and reinforce the illusion of spiritual authority.

The Command said efforts are ongoing to determine the total number of victims, assess the financial scale of the alleged fraud and track down possible accomplices who may still be at large. 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 warned residents to exercise caution and avoid individuals who use religion or claims of miraculous powers as a cover for criminal activities.