A security guard at a rubber plantation in Edo State, Sule Gende, has been arrested by the Ondo State security outfit, codenamed, Amotekun for organising his abduction and demanding N50m ransom from his employer.
Parading 22 suspected criminals in Akure, the state capital, the state commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said two other suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.
Adeleye said the security guard, who organised his own abduction, was picked up at his duty post at the rubber plantation in Edo State and was taken to a hideout in the Southern senatorial district of Ondo State.
He noted: “Rather than waste time on their prosecution in Ondo State and in the spirit of collaboration, we would release these two suspects to the office of the Director of State Services, DSS, of Edo State for them to conclude and complete the trial of those that were apprehended.”
According to him, the security guard was lodged in an apartment owned by a 19-year-old friend, who is a security guard, for days before he was arrested by the security personnel.
The 19 year old suspect, James Lisbon, said he agreed to accommodate him because he was informed that he would be travelling to Benue State soon. Lisbon said that his friend augmented the visitor’s feeding by giving him N10,000 twice.
Also in an interview, an official of the company where the kidnap victim worked, said it was shown on CCTV that the night guard was kidnapped by gunmen.
He added that abductors later opened a line of communication with the company and demandedN50 million for his release. According to him, they later agreed to accept N35 million.
“ They eventually said they could not get anything less than N15 million.The official added that the company informed the Department of State Security Services(DSS).
“But when there was no trace of the kidnappers, the company contacted Amotekun Corps in Ondo State and this paid off as the two suspects were tracked to their hideout.”
Meanwhile, the state commander of Amotekun, Chief Adeleye said that 1200 personnel has been deployed to black spots and nooks and crannies of the 18 local government areas of the state, ahead of the festivities.
Adeleye said that “They would be on 24/7 patrol to ensure the influx of visitors to the state does not increase crime incidents in the state.
“Amotekun, in collaboration with all mother security agencies in Ondo State, have mapped out strategy to ensure that influx of visitors and so on does not increase crime rates in Ondo State.
“We will continue to work around the clock to ensure the safety of lives and property during this yuletide period.
(Vanguard)