Police Reject ₦50m Bribe, Rescue 100 Victims as Zone 6 Busts ‘Japa’ Job Scam Syndicate

The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 6 Command, Calabar, has rescued over 100 victims of a kidnapping and job scam syndicate operating under the guise of facilitating overseas travel and employment, while also rejecting a ₦50 million bribe allegedly offered by the suspects.
The operation, carried out by the Zonal Criminal Investigation Department (ZCID), led to the dismantling of the criminal network accused of exploiting Nigeria’s growing “Japa” migration trend to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
According to a statement issued by the Zonal Public Relations Officer, DSP Jefferson Osupe Anisma, the syndicate specialised in psychological manipulation and deception, targeting young Nigerians seeking opportunities abroad. Victims were allegedly coerced into selling their properties, resigning from their jobs, and surrendering their life savings with promises of securing visas, foreign citizenship and lucrative employment overseas.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, upon receiving credible intelligence, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police overseeing the ZCID, DCP Udu Moses Ogechi, to take immediate action against the network.
Acting on the directive, ZCID operatives launched a coordinated operation in the early hours of February 14, 2026, at about 6:00 a.m., leading to the arrest of key suspects and the rescue of the victims from various locations within Cross River State.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate lured victims to designated locations in the state, where they were allegedly psychologically manipulated and financially incapacitated. Many were said to have been persuaded to dispose of their personal assets and transfer large sums of money to the group before being housed in well-furnished apartments to maintain a façade of legitimacy.
Police said the suspects staged photographs of the victims in aesthetically appealing environments and directed them to send the images to family members via social media to create the false impression that they had successfully relocated abroad.
Some of the victims were reportedly forced to join the criminal enterprise and assigned roles to recruit additional unsuspecting individuals, thereby sustaining the operation.
In what the police described as a test of integrity, members of the syndicate allegedly attempted to compromise the investigation by offering a bribe of ₦50 million to the operatives. The offer was firmly rejected.
The police authorities said the refusal of the bribe underscored the Force’s commitment to professionalism, integrity and adherence to the rule of law.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police commended DCP Ogechi and his team for what he described as a significant operational breakthrough, praising their resilience, tactical efficiency and dedication to duty.
“The Zone remains resolute in its determination to rid the region of criminal syndicates preying on vulnerable citizens,” the statement added.
The rescued victims have been handed over to the Cross River State Government for profiling, care and reintegration support.
Meanwhile, police said investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate who are currently at large.
The command advised members of the public to exercise caution in dealing with overseas job offers and to verify travel and employment arrangements through lawful and recognised channels to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.