Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, have apprehended 28 individuals accused of kidnapping more than 70 foreign nationals in the state.
The victims, all Ghanaians, were tricked into coming to the state by the suspects, who promised to assist them with obtaining visas for an overseas trip to Australia.
The syndicate was uncovered in the Oda Road area of Akure South Local Council, following a tip-off from one of the victims who managed to escape after months in captivity.
While showcasing the arrested suspects alongside other criminals at the Amotekun Corps headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure, the agency’s Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, revealed that the victims had been deceived into believing the suspects would help them secure an Australian visa.
Adeleye explained, “We have Ghanaian nationals who were invited to Akure under fraudulent pretenses. 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.”
Jeremiah Amoah, one of the victims, shared his ordeal, “A friend of mine was used to convince me 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.”
