The Amotekun Corps in Ogun says it has arrested a 41-year-old man, Enitan Awoyemi of Irolu in the state’s Remo North local government area, for allegedly faking his own kidnapping.
Alade Adedigba, the State Corps Commander, in a statement in Abeokuta on Wednesday, said the intention of Awoyemi was to evade financial obligations.
Adedigba explained that Tope, Awoyemi’s wife, had on Sunday at 9 a.m. reported at the Amotekun Irolu outpost that her husband had called her, claiming to have been kidnapped.
He said the “kidnapping” was done the previous day by unidentified individuals.
The Amotekun commander noted that the wife said the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N5 million for his release.
He added that upon receiving the report, the Amotekun Intelligence Team commenced an investigation into the matter.
“Findings from the investigation revealed that Enitan Awoyemi had accumulated substantial debts related to gambling in a lotto game, amounting to a staggering N1 million.
“Awoyemi, who is a regular player of the game, had previously won N6 million from the same game, using portions of his winnings to purchase a Toyota Corolla Sports car and a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle for commercial purposes.
“Faced with the inability to repay his debts, he resorted to fabricating a kidnapping scenario.
“But, through collaborative efforts with the Vigilance Group of Nigeria (VGN) and other community stakeholders, Enitan was traced to Ijagba town and later Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota local government area,” he said.
Adedigba, however, explained that Awoyemi was ultimately arrested at the Irolu okada park in the early hours of Wednesday during routine patrol operations by the Amotekun officers.
He said that upon being apprehended, operatives noted a strong smell of insecticide from him, raising concerns about an attempted suicide.
“He was swiftly transported to Rufina Private Hospital in Iperu for medical attention,” the Corps Commander said.
He however noted that the Amotekun Corps was committed to taking the necessary actions.
Adedigba said once Awoyemi was discharged from the hospital, he would be handed over to the police for further investigation.
The Amotekun Corps commander stated that the Corps was committed to maintaining law and order, exposing deceitful activities and protecting residents of the state.
