The Rivers State Police Command has successfully dismantled a notorious job racketeering syndicate that had been defrauding unsuspecting job seekers by advertising fake employment opportunities.
The syndicate, operating in the Igwuruta area of Ikwerre Local Government Area, was also responsible for holding 16 individuals hostage.
The operation, led by the State’s Octopus Strike Force, was initiated after a distress call from concerned residents, who suspected illegal activities within the compound where the gang was based.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, disclosed that one suspect, Chukwudi Okoli, was arrested during the raid. Okoli had allegedly been posing as an employee of a fraudulent company, Ojoseansel International Global Limited, which falsely promised high-paying jobs in the oil and gas sector.
“The victims were led to believe they had secured high-paying jobs in the oil and gas industry, with salaries purportedly paid in US dollars,” CP Disu explained. “Each victim paid between N650,000 and N850,000 to the fraudulent company in the hopes of landing the job.”
During the raid, 16 victims—comprising 13 males and two females—were rescued, including a victim identified as Amiye Joseph. Disu revealed that the victims were held in the compound and subjected to “training sessions” designed to deceive their friends into believing the scam. These sessions were part of the syndicate’s broader scheme, which promised weekly payments of $450 to victims.
In addition to rescuing the hostages, the police recovered various items used in the operation, including mobile phones, laptops, generators, industrial fans, office furniture, and other equipment.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that after extorting the victims, the syndicate detained them in a facility where they were closely monitored and subjected to ‘training sessions,’” CP Disu added.
The syndicate’s method involved contacting potential victims randomly by phone, inviting them to Port Harcourt for bogus job interviews. Once the victims arrived, they were extorted and detained.
CP Disu assured the public that investigations into the syndicate’s activities were ongoing, promising that the Police would intensify efforts to crack down on criminals exploiting job seekers in Rivers State.
