By Tola Gbadamosi
A 35-year-old security guard, Akpooh Edet, working at Rubber Estate in Ose River, Ovia South West Local Government area of Edo State, staged his own abduction and demanded a ransom of N50 million from his employer.
Edet’s attempt to extort money ended in his arrest when operatives of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps tracked him to his hideout in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government area of the State.
His arrest was successful after the Edo Command of the Department of State Security (DSS) contacted the Ondo Amotekun Corps for assistance.
Edet was among 22 suspects paraded at the headquarters of the Ondo Amotekun Corps.
The Commander of Ondo Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said Edet was arrested at the residence of one Libon James.
Adeleye noted that Libon might not have been aware that Edet was a “kidnap victim.”
He added that the two suspects would be handed over to the DSS for further investigation.
The Senior Security Manager of the firm, Oluwole Adesonlu, said Edet had worked for the firm for about 10 years.
Adesonlu explained that Edet and his gang initially demanded N50 million, later reducing it to N35 million, and eventually agreeing to collect N15 million.
He said, “We discovered that one of my guards was missing. We began the search for him and contacted the DSS.
“It was during the investigation that I contacted Amotekun in Igbotako, and Edet was tracked to where he was hiding. Two accomplices were arrested in Edo State, and we discovered that it was a self-kidnap to extort money from the company.”