Ondo fake miracle scam exposed as police arrest six suspects accused of staging miracles to defraud residents in Idanre

The Ondo State Police Command on Thursday announced the arrest of six men who allegedly posed as pastors and defrauded unsuspecting residents of Idanre community in Idanre Local Government Area through staged miracles.

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The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, disclosed the arrests in a statement issued in Akure. Mr Kazeem identified the suspects simply as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola.

Mr Kazeem said the arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation conducted on February 16, 2026, by operatives of the command’s tactical teams in collaboration with Community Safety Officers.

On 16 February 2026, operatives carried out what Mr Kazeem described as a well-coordinated operation based on credible information about the activities of a suspected fraud syndicate operating within Idanre and its environs.

The operation, according to Mr Kazeem, led to the apprehension of six suspects alleged to have organised and executed fraudulent schemes targeting members of the public.

Preliminary investigations, Mr Kazeem said, 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 Ondo fake miracle scam allegedly involved promises of divine solutions to financial hardship, health challenges and other personal problems.

Mr Kazeem added that the suspects were said to have exploited the faith and vulnerabilities of residents, defrauding them through false pretences and related scams.

Investigations indicate that the group operated in a coordinated manner, assigning specific roles to create what Mr Kazeem described as a convincing and structured façade of legitimacy.

Further investigations are ongoing to determine the total number of victims, assess the financial magnitude of the fraud and identify other collaborators who may still be at large.

The suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Nigeria Police Force in Ondo State urged members of the public to exercise caution and due diligence.

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The command warned residents against individuals who use religion, spirituality or claims of miracles as a cover for criminal activity, describing the Ondo fake miracle scam as a troubling abuse of public trust.