By ENS NEWS | September 1, 2026
The Chief Executive Officer of TMT Travels and Tours Limited, Ifeanyi Onukwubiri, has reportedly been arrested in Owerri, Imo State, and transferred to Abuja following renewed allegations involving visa-processing transactions and complaints from numerous customers.
According to reports, Nigerian social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), announced that Onukwubiri was arrested following a petition submitted by the Martins Vincent Otse Initiative.
VDM claimed that operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Special Tactical Squad arrested the travel agency executive in Owerri before transferring him to Abuja for further investigation.
The latest development has attracted significant attention across Nigeria, particularly after more alleged customers of TMT Travels began coming forward with receipts, transaction records and other documents relating to payments allegedly made to the company.
Reports published on August 31 and September 1, 2026, indicate that more than 200 people claiming to be affected customers gathered with VeryDarkMan and approached the police to make formal statements concerning their transactions with TMT Travels and Tours. (VENO International)
Alleged Victims Submit Evidence to Police
According to the reports, the complainants were expected to provide statements, payment receipts and other transaction records to assist law-enforcement authorities in determining the circumstances surrounding the complaints.
Some of the alleged victims claim they paid substantial amounts of money for visa, overseas employment and travel-processing services involving countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States and European destinations.
Several complainants have also alleged that their international passports remained with the travel company after the expected travel arrangements failed to materialise.
These claims remain allegations and have not been established as facts by a court.
VDM had earlier claimed that receipts presented to his organisation represented more than ₦200 million in disputed payments. Earlier groups of complainants had alleged significantly higher combined losses, including claims reaching about ₦500 million. Those figures were supplied by complainants and should not be interpreted as amounts independently confirmed by police or a court.
Controversy Began Before Latest Arrest
The controversy surrounding TMT Travels and Tours did not begin with the latest reported arrest.
In November 2025, the Imo State Police Command officially confirmed an investigation into allegations of visa fraud involving TMT Travels & Tours Limited.
Police spokesperson Henry Okoye said at the time that the Commissioner of Police in Imo State had directed the command’s Monitoring Unit to thoroughly investigate the allegations.
Police also confirmed recovering nine Nigerian passports from the travel agency and said Onukwubiri had been invited for questioning to assist investigators in establishing the facts surrounding the complaints.
Authorities also urged members of the public to exercise proper due diligence when dealing with companies offering visa and international travel services.
The November 2025 police investigation gave official weight to what had previously largely been complaints circulating on social media.
Individual Customers Also Raised Complaints
Several individual customers have publicly described their experiences with TMT Travels.
In January 2026, the Foundation for Investigative Journalism reported the case of Lagos resident Obimdi Innocent Iteego, who alleged that he paid ₦3 million to TMT Travels for a Japan work visa in February 2025.
Iteego claimed that the visa was not delivered and also alleged that his international passport remained with the company for months while he sought a refund.
In February 2026, another group of alleged victims appeared publicly alongside VeryDarkMan, accusing the travel company of failing to provide promised visa services or refunds.
More than 19 people were shown in that earlier protest, where the group alleged combined losses of approximately ₦500 million. Again, that amount represented allegations from the complainants rather than a judicially established loss figure.
The latest gathering of more than 200 complainants has now significantly increased public attention surrounding the dispute.
Reported Arrest and Transfer to Abuja
VDM announced on August 28 that Onukwubiri had been arrested in Imo State and transported to Abuja.
He said the police operation followed a petition submitted by his organisation and claimed that the travel agency executive would be questioned regarding complaints from customers.
VDM also claimed that Onukwubiri had indicated willingness to resolve some of the disputes and refund affected customers.
However, that claim has not been independently confirmed by Onukwubiri, and ENS NEWS has not seen a recent official police statement confirming the exact conditions of the reported discussions.
Important: Allegations Have Not Been Proven in Court
While the reported arrest and growing number of complainants have generated considerable public discussion, an arrest or police investigation does not establish criminal guilt.
As of the latest reports reviewed by ENS NEWS, the Nigeria Police Force had not publicly released comprehensive details identifying new formal charges resulting specifically from the latest reported arrest and transfer to Abuja.
Onukwubiri and TMT Travels are therefore entitled to the presumption of innocence regarding allegations that have not been proven before a competent court.
The police investigation and evidence submitted by complainants will ultimately be important in determining whether criminal offences occurred, the amounts involved and what legal remedies may be available to affected customers.
What Happens Next?
Attention will now focus on the Nigeria Police Force as investigators review statements, receipts and other evidence reportedly submitted by the complainants.
The case may also determine whether customers who paid for unsuccessful visa or travel-processing services will receive refunds and whether additional legal proceedings will follow.
For Nigerians seeking international visas, employment opportunities or travel services, the controversy also highlights the importance of verifying travel agencies, keeping detailed payment records, obtaining written agreements and independently checking visa requirements through official embassy or immigration channels.
ENS NEWS will continue monitoring developments surrounding the TMT Travels case and provide updates when official information becomes available.