Amotekun Rescues 28 Ghanaians from Visa Scam Syndicate in Ondo

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network, known as Amotekun Corps, have rescued 28 Ghanaians kidnapped in Akure under the pretence of securing foreign visas. The victims were lured by a 28-member syndicate that promised them visas to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, or Australia. Each person was charged between $1,500 and $2,000.

The victims, mainly young men, were brought into Nigeria through Lagos. They were transported to Oda town in Akure South Local Government Area from there. Once they arrived, their money was seized, and they were held hostage. According to Amotekun Commander Adetunji Adeleye, the only condition for their release was to lure another victim to take their place.

The crackdown, called Operation Daadaa, involved coordinated forest raids in Ose, Akure North, Akure South, Owo, and other areas. Adeleye said the syndicate is an international network led by a Ghanaian man based in Akure, who is currently on the run. The group allegedly abducted and lured 72 Ghanaians and Nigerians to Nigeria through various visa scams.

They defrauded thousands of people using fake visa promises. We have arrested several members. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend others, he said.

One of the rescued victims, Jeremiah Amoah, shared his ordeal. He said he was directed to travel from Ghana to Lagos and then to Akure, where an agent picked him up.

They took me to a hotel, collected $2,000 from me, and later moved me to a building. There, I was told to bring in another victim before I would be released. I escaped at night by jumping over the fence, he recounted.

In a separate operation, Amotekun rescued a family of five who were abducted in Owo Local Government Area. The rescue was carried out without paying the N10 million ransom demanded by their captors. Only N210,000 was recovered from the suspects during negotiations. Intelligence reports led to a successful forest raid that secured the family’s release unharmed.

Adeleye also disclosed the arrest of 61 suspects for various crimes. These include kidnapping, cultism, cattle rustling, vandalism, and breaches of the anti-open grazing law. Among the suspects was a man identified as Sylvester, a known kidnapper who had been on the corps’ watchlist. He was arrested at Old Garage, Akure.

The Amotekun commander further warned herders illegally occupying Ondo State’s forest reserves to vacate or obtain proper government permission. He also announced new security measures. These include a ban on commercial motorcycle operations (Okada) after 8 p.m., effective immediately. He said many criminals use unregistered motorcycles to carry out robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults. Vehicles without proper registration or with fake number plates will also be impounded. Residents have been given one week to regularise their documents.

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