An Enugu State-based nurse identified simply as Juliet, has been allegedly defrauded of the sum of N650,000 by a suspected syndicate in Lagos, who promised her and several others jobs in Shell Petroleum Development Company.
NewsAfrica Metro gathered that Juliet was at first asked to pay the sum N750,000 by the syndicate who disguised as recruitment officers and operated in the Igando area of Lagos State.
The Igando Division of the state Police Command said, acting on intelligence, it raided the syndicate’s hideout and arrested 19 suspects at their operating base in the area.
Speaking at the station on Monday, Juliet said, “I am a nurse and I came all the way from Enugu. My friend introduced me to the company. I have paid N650,000 out the N750,000 they asked for.”
According to the victim, upon her invitation from Enugu, she was lodged in a room alongside eight other ladies who were also looking for employment, and they were told they would undergo training before getting the jobs.
Another eyewitness to the arrest in the area, Taofeek Ibrahim, told NewsAfrica Metro that the group of people were luring victims from other states and neighbouring countries.
“They would promise to help them secure jobs in a big company like Shell in Lagos, with a pay of N300,000 monthly. Some of them came from Ghana. One of them has also paid N300,000.
“The female nurse came to her senses after realising that those that promised them jobs were looking tattered,” Ibrahim said, adding “Their hideout at John Kay Crescent, Lanre Bus-stop, Igando, was recently raided by the police.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, could not be reached for comments as calls and messages sent to him were not responded to as of press time.
But confirming the arrest, the Divisional Police Officer at Igando, Ekehinde Ehiomoba, told NewsAfrica Metro that “19 suspects were arrested.”