Police arrest six fake pastors over fraudulent miracles in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command on Thursday said it had arrested six men posing as pastors for allegedly defrauding residents of Idanre community in Idanre Local Government Area.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, the suspects allegedly performed fake miracles to deceive unsuspecting victims.

The suspects are identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola, and Ademola.

The PPRO said, “On February 16, 2026, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams, in collaboration with Community Safety Officers, carried out a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operation following credible information about the activities of a suspected fraud syndicate operating in Idanre and its environs.

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“The operation led to the arrest of six suspects who allegedly organised and executed fraudulent schemes targeting unsuspecting members of the public. Preliminary investigations reveal that the suspects posed as pastors and religious leaders, staging fake miracles and spiritual interventions to gain the confidence and trust of their victims.

“They allegedly exploited the faith, emotions, and vulnerabilities of individuals by promising divine solutions to financial difficulties, health challenges, and other personal problems, only to defraud them through various forms of obtaining by false pretence and related scams.”

The police spokesman added that the suspects operated in a coordinated manner, assigning specific roles to create a convincing and structured facade of legitimacy.

“Further investigation is ongoing to ascertain the total number of victims, determine the financial magnitude of the fraud, and identify other collaborators who may still be at large,” the PPRO said.

He added, “All the suspects are currently in police custody and will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”

The Command advised members of the public to exercise due diligence and avoid falling prey to individuals who exploit religion, spirituality, or false promises of miracles for criminal purposes.