By Abbanobi -Eku Onyeka
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has uncovered a suspected fake distance-learning centre in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, and rescued 106 students allegedly lured into the scheme, according to Premium Times on Tuesday.
The Corps said the illegal institution operated from a three-bedroom flat and claimed affiliation with a foreign university. It allegedly lured young Nigerians and nationals from neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission abroad.
The NSCDC also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution. According to the Corps, the operation was carried out in the early hours of Monday by operatives of the Badagry Area Command following days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance.
The suspected institution was reportedly operating without an official name, registration, signboard or recognised campus, while presenting itself online as a distance-learning centre affiliated with a foreign university.
Badagry Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence. “We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in,” he stated.
“We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody,” Ekunola added.
The rescued youths, mostly aged between 19 and 24, came from several parts of Nigeria including Kogi and Oyo states, as well as some northern states. Some also travelled from Niger, Cameroon and Togo after allegedly being recruited online.
Preliminary investigations showed victims were persuaded to pay admission and processing fees ranging from N200,000 to N1.5 million. Some foreign nationals reportedly paid between $400 and $500 after being promised admission to a foreign tertiary institution.
The NSCDC alleged the arrangement operated like a Ponzi or chain-marketing scheme. Participants were required to bring in new students for commissions and some were involved in promoting unidentified products online for a percentage of sales.
The Corps said it has started contacting families of the victims. Ekunola noted that one parent said her child told the family he came to Badagry to learn a trade, not to attend a university. The rescued youths will be profiled before being reunited with their families.
The NSCDC added that investigations have been expanded to uncover the full network behind the scheme and determine whether similar operations exist elsewhere. The discovery comes amid NUC warnings about 58 illegal universities operating in Nigeria without approval.
