The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six men accused of posing as pastors and staging fake miracles to defraud residents of Idanre community in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.
The arrests were announced on Thursday in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, who disclosed that the suspects were apprehended during an intelligence-driven operation carried out on February 16, 2026.
According to the police, operatives of the command’s tactical teams, working in collaboration with Community Safety Officers, launched a coordinated raid following credible intelligence about the activities of a suspected fraud syndicate operating within Idanre and surrounding areas.
The suspects were identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the group allegedly masqueraded as pastors and religious leaders, orchestrating staged miracles and spiritual interventions to gain the trust and confidence of unsuspecting members of the public.
Police said the suspects exploited the faith and vulnerabilities of residents by promising divine solutions to financial hardship, health challenges and other personal difficulties. Victims were reportedly induced to part with money under false pretences in exchange for purported spiritual breakthroughs.
Investigators further uncovered that the suspects operated in a structured and coordinated manner, with each member assigned specific roles designed to create a convincing façade of legitimacy.
The command stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the alleged fraud, including the total number of victims, the financial magnitude involved, and whether other accomplices remain at large.
The suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The police urged residents to exercise vigilance and due diligence, cautioning against individuals who exploit religion, spirituality or claims of miraculous powers as a cover for criminal activity. Authorities also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious movements or fraudulent schemes to security agencies promptly.
