West African Visa Scam Bust Warns Burkina Faso Travellers Off Bogus Agents

The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a facility in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, that was used to defraud people with fake visas. Officers rescued 11 Ghanaian nationals from the site in Sagamu, where they had been promised visas to travel to Canada.

The victims believed they were on a legitimate route to Canada. Instead, they ended up at a scam operation in a Nigerian town, outside any official visa process.

Key facts

• 11 Ghanaian nationals were rescued from the facility
• The centre was located in Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria
• The victims had been promised visas to Canada
• The operation was carried out by the Nigeria Police Force
• No date has been given for the raid, and no arrests or fees connected to the Sagamu case have been announced

What happened?

Police found a centre being used to trick people with fraudulent visa offers and removed 11 Ghanaian citizens from it. The group had been told they would receive visas for Canada. The source does not state how long the victims had been held or what they were asked to pay.

Is this an isolated case?

No. The Sagamu case follows a pattern seen across Nigeria in recent years. In July 2025, Ondo State police said they rescued 40 Ghanaian nationals allegedly trafficked into Nigeria under false pretences. Police said the victims had travelled on false assurances of lucrative jobs and visa arrangements to Canada and other Western countries.

That operation followed a petition sent through the Interpol Liaison Office at Force Headquarters in Abuja. Another report said the rescued Ghanaians were found without valid travel documents or with expired ones.

In April 2025, Ondo's Amotekun Corps said it had dismantled a syndicate that lured Ghanaians with promises of visas to the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. The Corps said victims paid sums such as $2,000 or $1,500 before being kidnapped and housed in Oda town.

Ogun State has seen similar crackdowns. In September 2026, police there arrested 23 foreign nationals after raiding a building in the Ota area over an alleged Ponzi scheme, visa scam and other immigration-related offences.

How do these scams work?

For would-be travellers from Ghana, the risk begins before departure. Scammers promise quick visas, jobs or "processing" in a third country, then collect fees and take away victims' control once they arrive. Many victims travel willingly, often using savings or borrowed money, and only realise the danger after reaching the destination.

What this means for travellers

• Apply only through official embassy, high commission or accredited visa-centre channels
• Be suspicious of anyone who asks you to travel to another country to "process" a visa
• Verify agents and recruiters independently before paying anything
• Tell family exactly where you are going, and keep your passport and phone with you
• Report suspicious offers to the police or the Ghanaian authorities

The source gives no further details on the Sagamu operation, any suspects arrested or what happens to the rescued victims next.