The Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, has successfully dismantled a 28-member syndicate involved in fraudulent travel schemes targeting individuals seeking visas to the United States and Australia. The operation, which took place in Akure, the state capital, led to the arrest of the suspects and the rescue of numerous victims.
According to Chief Adetunji Adeleye, the Commandant of Amotekun Corps, the syndicate operated by luring unsuspecting individuals, primarily from Ghana, with false promises of assisting them in obtaining U.S. and Australian visas. Upon arrival in Akure, the victims were extorted, with some paying between $1,500 and $2,000 for the purported visa processing services. Instead of facilitating their travel, the suspects held the victims captive in Oda, a town within Akure South Local Government Area. The captives were informed that their release was contingent upon recruiting additional victims, thereby perpetuating the cycle of exploitation.
The breakthrough in this case came when one of the victims managed to escape and alerted the authorities. This tip-off enabled Amotekun operatives to locate and apprehend the perpetrators, leading to the rescue of the remaining victims. During the operation, the authorities also discovered that the syndicate had defrauded thousands of individuals, operating as an international network coordinated by a Ghanaian national currently at large.
In addition to the arrests related to the fraudulent travel scheme, Amotekun Corps apprehended 33 other individuals for various offenses, including kidnapping, cultism, attempted murder, theft, and violations of the anti-open grazing law. The agency emphasized the importance of public vigilance and encouraged residents to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
Furthermore, the Ondo State government has reaffirmed the ban on commercial motorcycle operations between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., citing the involvement of motorcyclists in criminal activities. The government has also mandated the registration of all vehicles operating within the state, with a one-week ultimatum for owners of unregistered vehicles to comply. These measures aim to enhance public safety and curb the rising tide of criminal activities in the region.
The successful operation by Amotekun Corps underscores the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the residents of Ondo State from fraudulent schemes and other criminal activities. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and to engage only with credible individuals and organizations when seeking travel opportunities abroad.
Leave a comment