Members of a syndicate allegedly specialised in kidnapping and defrauding foreigners have been busted by the operatives of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State. 

The security outfit apprehended the suspects after they allegedly abducted and lured 72 Ghanaians and Nigerians through various visa scams to Nigeria. 

Adetunji Adeleye, commander of the Amotekun, said the syndicate was among the 61 suspected criminals arrested by the intelligence unit of the corps. 

He said they lured most of their victims from Ghana, assuring them of a secure visa to travel to the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia.

“We also dismantled a syndicate. It is a 28-member syndicate specialising in kidnapping, human trafficking, and cattle rustling. They invite unsuspecting members of the public, claiming they can help them procure U.S. visas. We have 28 Ghanaians who were invited to Akure, and once they arrived, the syndicate collected money from them—some paid $2,000, others $1,500—before kidnapping and housing them in Oda town. 

“The only condition under which they would be released was to bring another victim to be kidnapped. The eagle eye of the intelligence section of Amotekun Corps was able to track them down, and today, we have 28 of them in custody. 

“We also have those who were rescued by the corps and their families. My advice to young men is please ensure you deal with credible people in your quest to seek better opportunities abroad,” the Amotekun boss said. 

One of the victims, Jeremiah Amoah from Ghana, told journalists how he was contacted by the head of the syndicate when he wanted to travel to Australia. He said he was directed to journey from Lagos to Akure, the Ondo State capital. 

“After arriving at Cathedral Junction, I was told to wait for an agent to pick me up. When the agent arrived, he took me to a hotel, and later, he took my money, which was about $2,000.

“After collecting my money, they took me to another location and instructed me to lure another person to Nigeria before I would be released.

“I was able to escape at midnight when everyone was asleep. I jumped over the wall. Amotekun really helped us; they ensured that all those involved were arrested and that over 70 victims were freed,” the victim said. 

Meanwhile, the Amotekun Corps has rescued a family of five from kidnappers’ den without paying ransom in Owo LGA of the state.

“The only money the kidnappers collected from the Idanre group was N210,000, which was found on them while they were negotiating with us for N10 million. However, we bombarded the forests where they were hiding, thanks to intelligence reports, and we were able to rescue the victims without harm.

“We also arrested several individuals for cattle rustling and violating the anti-open grazing law. Specifically, one suspect, Sylvester, who had been on our watchlist as a suspected kidnapper, was arrested at Old Garage, Akure,” Mr Adeleye said.

He added that the recent arrest of the suspects resulted from a committee set up by the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to checkmate the rising security crisis.

“This gave rise to what we codenamed Operation Daadaa. Officers and men of all security agencies in Ondo State, including the Amotekun Corps, the police, the army, and the civil defence, bombarded the Alagada, Ago Ademekun, and Ago Oyinbo Forests. 

“The operation extended to Ose and Owo local government areas, as well as the entire Akure North and South local government areas of Ondo State,” Mr Adeleye said.