The Ogun State Security Network, also known as the Amotekun Corps, has foiled a self-kidnapping plot reportedly orchestrated by a 41-year-old resident, Enitan Awoyemi, in an attempt to avoid a debt of around N1 million.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the state’s Amotekun Commander, Brigadier General Alade Adedigba (retd.), Awoyemi, a native of Irolu-Remo in Ikenne Local Government Area, allegedly staged his kidnapping to avoid paying a large gambling debt.
The scheme surfaced after Awoyemi’s wife, Mrs Tope Awoyemi, reported to the Amotekun Irolu station on November 10 that her husband had called, alleging he had been kidnapped the day before by unknown men demanding a ransom of N5 million.
“Upon receiving the report, the Amotekun Intelligence team launched an investigation into the alleged abduction. Findings revealed that Enitan Awoyemi had accrued significant debts from gambling in a lotto game, amounting to a staggering N1 million,” the statement read.
According to the allegation, Awoyemi, a habitual gambler, earlier earned N6 million and used some of his gains to buy a Toyota Corolla Sport automobile and a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle for commercial purposes.
However, unable to repay his obligation, he allegedly resorted to fabricating his own kidnapping.
Amotekun officers, in collaboration with the Vigilante Group of Nigeria and other local stakeholders, traced the suspect to Ijagba and then to Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
He was nabbed early Wednesday at Irolu Okada Park during normal patrol activities.
Officers detected a strong odor of insecticide on Awoyemi, indicating a likely suicide attempt. He was promptly taken to Rufina Private Hospital in Iperu for medical treatment.
Brigadier General Adedigba promised the public that Awoyemi will face the appropriate legal proceedings.
“Once he is discharged from the hospital, he will be handed over to the police for further proceedings,” he stated.
The Amotekun Commander applauded the coordinated efforts that resulted in the suspect’s arrest and asked citizens to remain watchful and report any suspicious activity.