A bizarre alleged self-kidnapping plot has been uncovered in Ondo State, with the Amotekun Corps arresting four people suspected of staging the abduction and spreading a false alarm on social media.
The drama unfolded in Akure North Local Government Area, where a man reportedly rushed to the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, claiming that his siblings had been kidnapped.
But what appeared to be a kidnapping case soon took a dramatic twist.
According to the Amotekun Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, further investigation exposed the man who reported the alleged abduction as an accomplice in the scheme.
Adeleye disclosed the development on Monday while parading 53 suspects arrested in different operations across Ondo State.
He said the alleged kidnappers had staged the incident and used social media to circulate false information, apparently to create the impression that a genuine abduction had taken place.
The commander said Amotekun operatives initially arrested two suspects before further investigation raised questions about the report.
The man who had reported that his siblings were kidnapped was subsequently discovered to be part of the alleged plot.
Adeleye said the suspect eventually led operatives to his home, where they found the person he had claimed was kidnapped.
The commander warned residents against rushing to circulate unverified reports, particularly on social media, stressing that false alarms could cause panic and divert security personnel and resources from genuine emergencies.
The four suspects were among 53 people arrested for various alleged offences across the state, including kidnapping, murder, cultism, rape, cattle rustling, impersonation, theft and conspiracy.
In a separate development, Amotekun also arrested 21 suspected illegal immigrants in Owo.
Adeleye said the suspects were found under suspicious circumstances and that many allegedly failed to produce the required ECOWAS travel documents.
He said they would be handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate action.
The commander urged residents to work with security agencies by providing timely and credible information capable of helping to prevent crime and protect communities.
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