Lagos Airport Police Arrest 20‑Year‑Old Over ₦1 Billion Romance and Celebrity Fraud

Lagos — Police at Murtala Muhammed International Airport have arrested a 20‑year-old man suspected of running an international romance and celebrity fraud scheme that defrauded victims abroad of over ₦1 billion.

The suspect, Essien Emmanuel Akpama, was apprehended on January 5, 2026, by the Airport Police Command as he attempted to board a flight out of Lagos. His arrest follows months of intelligence-led surveillance linking him to a series of elaborate online scams.

Police allege Akpama used fake online personas to deceive multiple victims. In one case, he persuaded a foreign woman to transfer a large sum of money under the pretext of buying property. In another, he convinced a senior individual to send money through purchases of gift cards and high-end gadgets.

Items seized in connection with the investigation include luxury electronics such as a MacBook Pro, an iPhone 17 Pro Max, and several Google Pixel devices valued at over ₦8 million.

The police disclosed that Akpama often posed online as a senior professional to gain the trust of his victims before convincing them to part with money or valuables.

The case has been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Special Fraud Unit for further investigation, and the suspect is expected to be arraigned in court once inquiries are complete.