The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six men allegedly posing as pastors to defraud residents of Idanre community in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola, were apprehended following what the police described as a well-coordinated, intelligence-driven operation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, said operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams, in collaboration with Community Safety Officers, carried out the operation on February 16, 2026, after receiving credible information about the activities of a suspected fraud syndicate operating in Idanre and its environs.
Kazeem said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly posed as pastors and religious leaders, staging fake miracles and spiritual interventions to deceive unsuspecting 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,” he said.
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According to the police spokesman, the suspects operated in a coordinated manner, assigning specific roles to create what appeared to be a legitimate religious setting in order to gain the confidence and trust of their victims.
He added that further investigations were ongoing to determine the total number of victims, ascertain the financial magnitude of the alleged fraud and identify other collaborators who may still be at large.
“All the suspects are currently in police custody and will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” Kazeem stated.
The Command urged members of the public to exercise caution and avoid falling victim to individuals who exploit religion, spirituality or false promises of miracles for criminal purposes.