41-year old man in Amotekun net for faking own kidnapping
The Ogun State Amotekun Corps has apprehended a 41-year-old man, Enitan Awoyemi, for allegedly staging his own kidnapping to evade financial obligations.
According to a press statement by the Corps in Abeokuta, Awoyemi’s wife, Mrs. Tope Awoyemi, reported on November 10 that her husband had been kidnapped and a ransom of N5 million was demanded.
However, an investigation revealed that Awoyemi had accumulated debts of N1 million from a lotto game.
To escape repayment, Awoyemi allegedly fabricated a kidnapping scenario.
Amotekun operatives, in collaboration with the Vigilantes Group of Nigeria and community stakeholders, tracked him down to Ijagba town and later Ota, before arresting him at the Irolu okada park on November 13.
Upon arrest, Awoyemi was found with a strong smell of insecticide, suggesting an attempted suicide. He was taken to Rufina Private Hospital in Iperu for medical attention.
The Amotekun Corps will hand over Awoyemi to the Police in Ilisan for further proceedings upon his discharge from the hospital.
The Amotekun Corps commended community cooperation in foiling the plot and urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
The statement reads “Upon receiving the report, the Amotekun Intelligence team commenced an investigation into the matter, and findings from the investigation revealed that Enitan Awoyemi had accumulated substantial debts related to gambling in a lotto game, amounting to a staggering 1 million naira.
“Awoyemi, who is a regular player of the game, had previously won 6 million naira from the same game, using portions of his winnings to purchase a Toyota Corolla Sport car and a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle for commercial purposes.
“Faced with the inability to repay his debts, it is alleged that he resorted to fabricating a kidnapping scenario.
Through collaborative efforts with the Vigilantes 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 was ultimately arrested at the Irolu okada park in the early hours of November 13th, 2024, during routine patrol operations by the Amotekun officers.
“Upon apprehension, 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 Amotekun Corps is committed to taking necessary action, and once Enitan Awoyemi is discharged from the hospital, he will be handed over to the Police in Ilisan for further proceedings.
