… Busts fake kidnap scam, dismisses Igboho’s Iru Ekun as ‘no threat’
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, has raised the alarm over what it described as a disturbing trend of foreign nationals engaging in criminal activities across the state.
The corps disclosed this while parading 53 suspects for various offenses ranging from kidnapping and murder to cattle rustling and diesel theft.
The suspects, arrested in various parts of the state, include 21 foreigners who were found residing in hotels and apartments without proper documentation.
The Amotekun Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this during a press briefing at the corps’ headquarters in Akure, the stated capital, where he stated that Iru Ekun, founded by Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, can never be a threat to Amotekun.
According to the security agency, the foreign nationals, mostly from neighboring West African countries, had been posing as phone sellers and repairers while living in accommodations that do not match their economic status.
The Commander noted that the suspects were discovered to be operating with the assistance of local collaborators, including landlords who rented out properties to them without proper documentation.
The Amotekun Commander stated that all 21 suspects have been profiled and will be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and possible prosecution.
In a separate development, four individuals were arrested in Akure North Local Council Area for staging a fake kidnapping and raising false alarms on social media.
Adetunji explained that initial reports suggested a kidnapping had occurred, but upon detailed investigation, officers discovered that one of the complainants who rushed to report the incident was an accomplice.
He disclosed that the suspect led security operatives to where the supposed victim had been hiding, confirming the incident was a hoax designed to create panic and extort money.
He said, “What I know is that the Ondo State Security Network Agency is a product of law, a baby of circumstance to bridge gaps in the existing federal government security agencies. So there is no way such an organization (Iru Ekun) can be a threat to Amotekun, Adetunji stated.
“Going into the details on kidnap, robbery, attempted kidnap, attempted murder, and robbery in the Osi/Igboba axis, we have Mubarak, 27; Muhammad, 35; Nura, 25; and Ismaila, 21. In Ogbese, on conspiracy and suspected kidnapping, we have Daniel, 45; Monday, 43; and Godday, age 37, Uba, age 35.
“On conspiracy and suspected kidnapping in Akoko southeast, Isua axis, we have Saleh, 18, Muhammad, 21, and Usman, 49. And on rape, we have Samuel Christopher, age 18, at Irese in Akure, Hassan 30, Eweje Idowu, Onina Ifeoluwa, Egotan Temitope, Eniabire Iranlowo, and Oladele Friday were arrested from Ode-aye/Okitipupa for conspiracy, cultism, and murder.
“Also from Odode Idanre, we have Bala, 51, for impersonation. In the same Odeaye Okitipupa axis, we were able to arrest Abubakar, 24, who specializes in cattle rustling. On conspiracy and stealing, remember I told you that we recovered well over 30 containers with diesel inside them. We have James, 35, Dayo, 38, Tomisin 41, as the major actors for now out of the group.”
