Police in Ondo State are using the arrest of six suspected fake pastors in Idanre to issue a broader warning about the dangers of miracle-related scams and the need for public vigilance.

The suspects identified by police as Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola, and Ademola, were arrested for allegedly posing as religious leaders and staging fake miracles to deceive members of the public.

According to the police, the group targeted individuals facing financial, health, and personal challenges, exploiting faith and emotional vulnerability as a gateway to demand money and other benefits.

The arrests were carried out following what authorities described as an intelligence-driven operation involving the Command’s Tactical Teams and Community Safety Officers, after reports of suspicious religious activities in the Idanre area.

Police spokesperson Jimoh Abayomi said preliminary investigations indicate the suspects worked as an organised unit, with each person assigned a role to make the operation appear credible and spiritually authentic.

He noted that investigators are still assessing how many people may have been affected and the scale of the alleged fraud, while efforts continue to trace other possible collaborators who are not yet in custody.

Beyond the arrests, the police are urging residents to take preventive steps by questioning extraordinary religious claims, avoiding unsolicited financial demands, and reporting suspicious activities promptly to law enforcement.

The Command says the case underscores the importance of community cooperation and awareness, stressing that sustained intelligence gathering and public reporting remain key to protecting residents and curbing similar schemes across Ondo State.