The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Lagos, has uncovered an alleged ₦16.17 million fake pregnancy scam, recovered hundreds of counterfeit cosmetic products, and recorded significant successes in tackling human trafficking and infrastructure vandalism.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of the FCID Annex, Simeon Akpanudom, disclosed the developments on Thursday while presenting the department’s operational achievements recorded between March 30 and June 25.
Akpanudom said the FCID had intensified operations against economic crimes, fraud, human trafficking, and attacks on critical national infrastructure, leading to several arrests and ongoing investigations.
Among the cases under investigation is an alleged fraud involving a 22-year-old woman accused of deceiving her fiancé into believing she was pregnant and collecting millions of naira from him for pregnancy-related expenses.
According to the AIG, the complainant alleged that the suspect obtained a total of ₦16.17 million under the guise of antenatal care, medical treatment, and other costs associated with the pregnancy.
Investigators later discovered that the pregnancy was allegedly terminated at about five months’ gestation at a private medical facility in Ajah, Lagos.
Akpanudom said the woman and a nurse attached to the hospital had been remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, while efforts were ongoing to arrest the medical director of the facility, who is also wanted in connection with the case.
He explained that the investigation covers allegations of obtaining money under false pretences, conspiracy, cheating, and the unlawful procurement of an abortion.
In another major operation, the police uncovered an alleged counterfeit cosmetics network following a petition submitted by Flawless Cosmetics over the illegal importation and counterfeiting of Baby Secret Cream.
The AIG disclosed that detectives recovered 331 cartons of counterfeit Baby Secret Cream products from a warehouse located in the Trade Fair Market area of Lagos.
He added that several suspects found in possession of the products had been arrested and were assisting investigators in identifying and apprehending the alleged mastermind behind the operation.
The FCID also recorded breakthroughs in its campaign against vandalism of telecommunications facilities and other critical infrastructure across Lagos State.
Akpanudom said operatives arrested suspected members of a criminal syndicate believed to be responsible for damaging telecommunications installations.
Items recovered from the suspects include a locally fabricated pistol, one live cartridge, solar batteries, solar panels, cutting equipment, ropes, tricycles, and vehicles allegedly used during the criminal operations.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicate that the recovered exhibits were linked to repeated acts of vandalism targeting telecommunications infrastructure and other public assets within the state.
He said security operatives were continuing efforts to track down other members of the syndicate who remain at large before commencing prosecution.
The AIG also highlighted the department’s achievements in combating human trafficking and other transnational crimes during the review period.
He disclosed that INTERPOL operatives attached to the FCID Annex rescued 45 victims of human trafficking, arrested four suspected traffickers, apprehended four individuals on international watch lists and red notices, and facilitated the return of two suspects arrested abroad to Nigeria.
Providing an overview of the department’s activities, Akpanudom said the FCID Annex received 1,762 petitions and complaints between March 30 and June 25, while 56 cases were concluded and filed before various courts.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the FCID to protecting critical national infrastructure, tackling economic and organised crimes, and ensuring diligent investigation and prosecution of offenders.
The police chief also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting law enforcement agencies with credible and actionable intelligence to strengthen crime prevention efforts and improve public safety nationwide.
