KEY POINTS
- Ondo security guard arrested for faking own kidnapping to demand ₦50 million ransom.
- Amotekun operatives uncover the plot through investigation and surveillance.
- Fake kidnappings are on the rise in Nigeria, with increased concerns about security personnel involvement.
A security guard in Ondo State was arrested by the western Nigeria security force, Amotekun, for allegedly faking his own kidnap to his employer and requesting ₦50m as his ransom. The suspect whose name was given as Tunde Olamide had allegedly planned the entire operation with the aim of getting a large amount of money from his boss who is a businesswoman. in the state.
The Ondo State Amotekun Corps declared that Olamide had staged his own abduction, and later called his employer and demanded ₦50million for his safe release. That started what the group did when the guard, an employee of the woman, was kidnapped and taken by a different group. However, the men of Amotekun Corps were as swift in suspecting a foul play in the incident. Employment begins a sequence of inquiries, and, after several days, contradictions in the security guard’s statement are discovered. The findings of surveillance cameras from the scene, and other information, implicated Olamide in plotting his own kidnap.
The Amotekun investigation
Following a detailed investigation, the Amotekun Corps tracked down the suspect to a remote location, where he was found hiding. During questioning, Olamide reportedly confessed to the crime, explaining that he had staged the kidnapping in an attempt to extort money from his employer. Amotekun Corps Commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the arrest, stating, “This is a clear case of an individual trying to take advantage of his employer’s goodwill and extort money using fraudulent means.” He also emphasized that the arrest serves as a warning to others who might think of engaging in similar criminal activities.
Previous cases of staged kidnappings in Nigeria
Kidnapping for ransom has been a growing issue in Nigeria, with numerous reports of individuals or groups staging their abductions to extort money from families, employers, or local businesses. However, Olamide’s case is particularly notable because it involved a member of the security sector. It has raised concerns about the trustworthiness of security personnel in Nigeria and the need for more stringent background checks and monitoring within the sector.
In recent years, Nigeria’s security agencies have been stepping up efforts to counter the rise of fake kidnappings, with a focus on more thorough investigations and the use of technology, such as surveillance cameras and tracking devices, to uncover criminal plots. Amotekun, a regional security outfit in the southwest, has played an instrumental role in supporting law enforcement and curbing crime in Ondo and other southwestern states.
Implications for security in Nigeria
Olamide’s failed kidnapping plot is another indication of the growing trend of criminal activities involving security personnel, and it raises alarms over the need for greater accountability within the security sector. As the Amotekun Corps continues to clamp down on criminal activities, there is increased pressure on both private employers and public institutions to ensure that their security staff undergo proper vetting and training.
This case also highlights the evolving nature of kidnapping crimes in Nigeria, with perpetrators continuously finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Experts are calling for more coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and the private sector to tackle these challenges effectively.
