The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Adewale Arojah, reportedly the son of a prophet, for allegedly impersonating a popular cleric on Facebook and defrauding victims of more than N18 million.

Arojah was arrested after allegedly creating a duplicate Facebook profile in the name of Prophet Muyiwa Akogun and using the account to offer fake prophecies, prayers and spiritual assistance to unsuspecting members of the public.

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The victims, according to the police, included people in Nigeria and the diaspora who were seeking spiritual help through the cleric’s social media platform.

The arrest followed a complaint lodged on October 3, 2026, by Akogun, popularly known on Facebook as “Prophet Dr Muyiwa Akogun”, after members of the public alerted him to fraudulent activities being carried out in his name.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, the Divisional Police Officer of the Ilaro Division immediately deployed intelligence and detective operatives after receiving the complaint.

The police said sustained technological monitoring and intelligence-led analysis eventually led investigators to a village in Ajegunle, along the Ilaro/Ibogun axis.

The suspect was subsequently tracked down and apprehended.

The command described the arrest as the result of a coordinated effort combining digital investigation with conventional police intelligence.

The police said Arojah confessed during interrogation to impersonating the cleric on Facebook.

According to Babaseyi, the suspect admitted that he used Akogun’s identity to issue fake prophecies and provide purported prayer services to people seeking spiritual assistance.

“During a rigorous interrogation, the suspect confessed to impersonating the real Prophet Akogun on Facebook,” the police spokesman said.

The command alleged that the suspect deliberately targeted people who approached the genuine prophet’s Facebook presence in search of spiritual guidance.

“He admitted to using the cleric’s identity to deliver fake prophecies and offer prayer services to vulnerable individuals, thereby defrauding victims residing both within Nigeria and in the diaspora,” Babaseyi added.

Preliminary investigations, according to the police, showed that the suspect allegedly built trust with people seeking spiritual assistance before persuading them to part with their money.

The police said the scheme generated more than N18 million from multiple victims.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect systematically targeted victims seeking spiritual assistance on the said prophet’s Facebook page, gained their trust and swindled them of funds amounting to over ₦18 million,” the statement said.

The alleged fraud highlights the risks faced by social media users who rely on online accounts when seeking assistance from public figures and religious leaders.

Following his arrest, Arojah was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The police said investigators would determine the full extent of the alleged operation and establish whether other individuals were involved.

The investigation is also expected to help identify additional victims and establish the financial transactions linked to the alleged fraud.

The command said the case would be prepared for possible prosecution after the investigation is concluded.

The Ogun State Police Command said the arrest formed part of its wider efforts to tackle cybercrime, identity theft and other forms of online fraud across the state.

Babaseyi said the operation demonstrated the command’s determination to prevent criminals from exploiting social media platforms to defraud members of the public.

“The swift arrest highlights the Ogun State Police Command’s resolve to dismantle online fraud networks, curb identity theft, and deny cybercriminals safe space to operate across the state,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, also commended the Ilaro police operatives for what he described as their vigilance, tactical discipline and swift response.

Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents from both digital and physical threats.

The police urged members of the public to exercise greater caution when interacting with religious leaders, celebrities and other public figures on social media.

The command advised users to verify the authenticity of accounts before sending money or sharing personal information, particularly when requests involve payments for spiritual services or other forms of assistance.

“The Command advises members of the public to exercise caution and due diligence when engaging with religious leaders or public figures on social media platforms,” the statement said.

The police said members of the public should report suspicious accounts and activities to the appropriate authorities rather than engaging with suspected fraudsters.

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The investigation into the alleged N18 million fraud remains ongoing as authorities work to determine the full scope of the operation and identify any possible accomplices.