Police arrest six pastors over alleged fake miracles, fraud in Ondo
The Ondo State Police Command says it has arrested six men allegedly posing as pastors to defraud residents of Idanre community in Idanre LGA of Ondo state.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Jimoh Kazeem, police public relations officer in the state, said the suspects were apprehended over alleged fraudulent activities carried out under the guise of performing miracles.
Kazeem identified the suspects as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola.
The statement reads: “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.
“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.”
Kazeem said the suspects allegedly operated in a coordinated manner, assigning specific roles to create a structured facade of legitimacy.
He added that investigations are ongoing to determine the number of victims, the financial scale of the alleged fraud, and to identify other possible accomplices.
“All the suspects are currently in police custody and will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” he said.
The command urged members of the public to exercise caution and avoid falling victim to individuals who exploit religion or false promises of miracles for criminal purposes.
