Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, have arrested 28 suspects for allegedly kidnapping over 70 foreigners in the state.
The foreigners, who are Ghanaians were lured to the state by the suspects under the pretence of facilitating overseas trip for the victims to Australia.
The syndicate was busted at Oda Road, Akure South Local Council Area of the state, following a tip-off by one of the victims who escaped after several months in captivity.
While parading the suspects along with other criminals at the headquarters of the corps, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, the Amotekun Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that the suspects had deceived the victims, who are Ghanaians, to help them secure an Australian visa.
According to Adeleye, after arriving at the Oda axis of the state, the victims were forced to pay between $1,500 and $2,000 by the suspects.
“We have Ghanaian nationals who were invited to Akure under fraudulent pretences. Upon arrival, they were extorted—some paying between $1,500 and $2,000—only to be kidnapped and held in Oda.
“The syndicate required them to bring in new victims before they could be released. However, due to the intelligence efforts of the Amotekun Corps, we successfully intercepted and rescued them.”
One of the victims, Jeremiah Amoah, who narrated the incident, stated that a friend of his was used to convince him into believing that the overseas trip was genuine.
“When they collected my money, they took me to another place where they instructed me to bring another person by luring him to Nigeria before I'll be released. I was able to escape at midnight when everyone was asleep. I jumped over the wall. The Amotekun people really tried for us. Ensure that all those involved were arrested and the over 70 victims released.”
