The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a suspected fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area of Lagos State, rescuing 106 young people allegedly recruited into the illegal scheme.

The operation, carried out by the NSCDC Badagry Area Command, also resulted in the arrest of the suspected proprietor, who allegedly lured prospective students from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.

The raid was conducted in the early hours of Monday after days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance by NSCDC operatives.

Investigators discovered that the institution had no official name, registration, signboard or recognised campus, yet allegedly operated online as a distance-learning centre claiming affiliation with a foreign university.

Speaking on the operation, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the action followed credible intelligence on the activities taking place at the apartment.

"We received reliable intelligence regarding the activities at the location. Our operatives kept the premises under surveillance for several days before carrying out the operation. The proprietor has been arrested and is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been placed under protective custody," Ekunola said.

According to preliminary findings, most of the rescued youths, aged between 19 and 24, were recruited from states including Kogi, Oyo and several northern states. Others reportedly travelled from neighbouring countries such as Niger, Cameroon and Togo after being recruited through online platforms.

The NSCDC alleged that victims paid between ₦200,000 and ₦1.5 million as admission and processing fees, while some foreign nationals reportedly paid between $400 and $500 after being promised admission into a foreign higher institution.

Further investigations revealed that participants were allegedly required to recruit additional students in exchange for financial rewards. The corps said the recruitment pattern closely resembled a Ponzi or chain-marketing scheme, with members promised higher earnings based on the number of new recruits they brought into the programme.

One of the rescued individuals reportedly told investigators that after paying $400 to enrol, he convinced his brother in Kogi State to join the scheme and had already started receiving referral commissions.

Investigators also uncovered evidence suggesting that some participants were involved in promoting unidentified products online, earning commissions from both product sales and the recruitment of new members.

Expressing concern over the development, Ekunola said many parents appeared to be unaware of the true activities of their children in Badagry.

"We have begun contacting their families. One parent told us her child had informed the family that he travelled to Badagry to learn a trade, not to attend a university. That clearly shows many parents had no idea what was really going on," he said.

He added that all 106 rescued youths would undergo proper profiling before being reunited with their families after the conclusion of investigations.

The NSCDC said anyone found culpable in operating the suspected illegal institution would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Ekunola further disclosed that investigations had been expanded to uncover the full network behind the operation, identify other collaborators and determine whether similar fraudulent schemes are operating in other parts of the country.