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 Ondo State.
The suspects identified as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola were apprehended during what police described as an intelligence-led operation targeting a suspected fraud syndicate operating within Idanre and neighbouring communities.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, said the arrests were carried out on February 16, 2026, by operatives of the Command’s Tactical Teams in collaboration with Community Safety Officers.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly disguised themselves as religious leaders, staging fake miracles and spiritual interventions to win the trust of unsuspecting members of the public.
Police said the group reportedly promised divine solutions to financial difficulties, health challenges and other personal problems, but instead obtained money and valuables from victims under false pretences.
Investigators further disclosed that the suspects allegedly operated a coordinated structure, assigning specific roles among themselves to create an appearance of legitimacy and reinforce claims of spiritual authority.
The Command stated that efforts are ongoing to identify the total number of victims, determine the financial scale of the alleged fraud, and track down any accomplices who may still be at large.
All six suspects remain in police custody and are expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid individuals who exploit religion or claims of miraculous powers as a cover for criminal activities.