Olayomi Koiki
A man has been arrested for allegedly faking his own kidnap in Nigeria’s southern state of Edo.
Akpooh Edet, 35, a local security guard at Rubber Estate in Ose River, Ovia South West local government area of the state, was nabbed by operatives of the southwest security outfit – codenamed Amotekun Corps, after he demanded ₦50 million as ransom from his employer.
He (suspect) was apprehended at one of his hideouts in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State and his arrest was successful after the Edo Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) contacted the Ondo Amotekun Corps.
The suspect was among 22 suspects paraded on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Ondo Amotekun Corps in Akure, the state capital.
The Commander of Ondo Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, said Edet was nabbed at the residence of one Libon James, noting that Mr Libon might not be aware that Edet was only faking his own kidnapping.
Adeleye said the two suspects would be handed over to the secret police for further investigation.
The Senior Security Manager of Rubber Estate, Oluwole Adesonlu, said Edet had worked for the firm for about 10 years.
Adesonlu explained that Edet and his gang first demanded ₦50m and later reduced it to ₦35m before they agreed to collect ₦15m.
“We discovered that one of my guards was missing. We began the search for him and contacted the DSS,” he said.
“it was during the investigation that I contacted Amotekun in Igbotako and Edet was tracked to where he was hiding.”
He added that two accomplices were arrested in Edo State “and we discovered that it was a self-kidnap to extort money from the company.”
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