Ogun Amotekun Arrests Man Who Faked Own Kidnap to Avoid Paying N1m Debt

The Ogun State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested a 41-year-old man, Enitan Awoyemi, who allegedly staged his own kidnapping in an attempt to avoid paying a debt of approximately N1 million.

Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (retd.), the state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, revealed this in a statement. Awoyemi, a resident of Irolu-Remo in the Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, was apprehended on Wednesday.

Adedigba explained that on November 10, at around 9 am, the suspect’s wife, Mrs. Tope Awoyemi, reported to the Amotekun Irolu outpost that her husband had called her, claiming that he had been kidnapped the previous day by unknown individuals who were demanding a ransom of N5 million for his release.

“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 N1m,” the statement read.

“Awoyemi, who is a regular player of the game, had previously won N6m 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.”

Adedigba, however, stated that through a collaborative effort with the Vigilantes Group of Nigeria and other community stakeholders, the suspect was tracked to Ijagba town and later to Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.

Awoyemi was eventually apprehended at the Irolu Okada Park in the early hours of Wednesday during a routine patrol by Amotekun officers.

Upon his arrest, operatives detected a strong smell of insecticide emanating from him, raising concerns that he may have attempted suicide.

Awoyemi was subsequently taken to Rufina Private Hospital in Iperu for medical care.

Adedigba emphasized that Amotekun is committed to taking the necessary actions, and once Awoyemi is discharged, he will be handed over to the police for further investigation.

The commander reaffirmed the security agency’s dedication to maintaining law and order, exposing fraudulent activities, and ensuring the safety of Ogun State residents.