The Ondo State Security Network Agency has disclosed that it has arrested a 28-man syndicate of fake travel agents.
The group is notorious for duping innocent people on visa processing to the United States and Australia.
Chief Adetunji Adeleye, Commandant of the Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps, made this known on Thursday in Akure the state capital.
According to him, the criminal syndicate charged their victims in a fake promise to procure visas for them.
Adeleye added that the suspects also kidnap their victims after they might have dispossessed them of their belongings.
His words: “they invite unsuspecting members of the public that they want to help them procure U.S. and Australian visas.
”Once their victims come, they collect money ranging from one thousand five hundred U.S. dollars to two thousand U.S. dollars from them and also kidnap them and house them in Oda, Akure.
”And the only condition under which they allow their victims to leave the place is to bring another set to be kidnapped.
”The eagle eye of the intelligence section of Amotekun Corps was able to pick them, and right here today, we have 28 of them.
”We equally have those of them that were rescued by the corps and their families,” he said.
The commandant advised youths to ensure that their transaction was with credible people in their quest to seek greener pastures abroad.
The 28-man syndicate who are also suspected kidnappers had defrauded thousands of people, adding that the syndicate was an international one being coordinated by a Ghanaian resident in Akure, who was presently at large.
There are so many profitable ventures that you can engage in as a young man in Nigeria.
”I want to encourage you that now that the Ayedatiwa-led government is resolute in guaranteeing security of lives and property in the state, you can equally join the wagon in the agricultural sector,” he said.
Adeleye also said that the corps, in another development, arrested 33 suspects’ for alleged kidnapping, cultism, attempted murder, theft and open grazing across the state.
He reiterated the ban on the operations of motorcyclists between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., except those on essential duties.
He said that the corps would henceforth clamp down on erring motorcyclists and unregistered vehicles across the state.
He alleged that most of the criminal activities are carried out by motorcyclists.
He urged members of the public to go about their legitimate activities, urging them to give useful information to the corps on 08079999989.