In a major crackdown on criminal activities, operatives of the Amotekun corps in Ondo State have arrested a 28-man syndicate accused of kidnapping and duping innocent Ghanaians and Nigerians seeking to travel abroad in search of better opportunities.

The suspects, who were paraded before the public, allegedly collected between
$1,500 and $5,000 from their victims.

According to the Commander of the Amotekun corps in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, the syndicate targeted individuals seeking to travel to Europe and other parts of the world, promising them assistance with their travel arrangements.

However, upon arrival in Nigeria, the victims were allegedly kidnapped and forced to pay large sums of money to secure their release.

“We have 28 Ghanaians that was invited to Akure, and once they arrived, they were forced to pay money to the syndicate.

“Some of them paid
$2,000,while others paid $1,500. They were then housed in a location and told that the only way they could leave was to bring another set of people to pay a similar amount of money,” Commander Adeleye explained.

One of the victims, who spoke in the video, recounted his ordeal at the hands of the syndicate, saying, “They took my money, almost $2,000, and sent me to a location where I was forced to stay. They told me that I had to bring someone else to pay a certain amount of money before I could leave. I had to pay around 50,000 Ghana cedis, which is approximately N5 million, to secure my release.”

The arrest of the syndicate is a major breakthrough for the Amotekun corps, which has been working tirelessly to combat the influx of criminal elements into the state.

The corps has been patrolling the thick forests and borders of the state, searching for suspected criminals who disguises themselves as hunters.

The parade of the suspects is a warning to other criminal elements operating in the state, according to Commander Adeleye.

“We will not tolerate any form of criminal activity in Ondo State, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that those who engage in such activities are brought to justice,” he said.

The arrest of the syndicate in Ondo State is a welcome development, and it is hoped that it will serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements operating in the state and beyond.

As the Amotekun corps continues to work tirelessly to combat crime and insecurity in the state, residents can rest assured that their safety and security are a top priority.