Amotekun Rescues Hypnotized Teenage Apprentice From Suspected Ritualist In Ondo

Men of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State have rescued an eighteen-year-old boy, Segun Thomas, from the claws of a 65-year-old suspected ritualist identified as Korede Lawal.

*Korede Lawal

The victim, who is a resident of Mushin area of Lagos, was rescued in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

It was learnt that the boy, who is undergoing training as an automobile mechanic, was allegedly hypnotized by the suspect and brought to Ore.

It was said that men of the Intelligent Unit of Ondo Amotekun Corps, who were on duty, got a tip off concerning the case and rescued the teenager from the man who was subsequently arrested.

The victim said he left home for the mechanic workshop, which is very close to his residence, where he is an apprentice.

Speaking thereafter Segun said “I met the man along the way who then asked me for a helping hand and that was all he knew.     He begged me to help him lift up his load, I took the bag from him, hoping he will soon get a vehicle that would take him to his destination. But helplessly, I found myself following him. He asked me about my parents and I realized I was answering him and was responding complying to all what he was saying.

“He asked me to place a call to my father who is living abroad to request for money. I agreed to that and we got to Ojota.

“We entered vehicle going to Ore.
When we got to Ore, the driver asked me to pay my money and took the load from me. That was when I regained my memory and realized that I’m already in Ondo state.

But the suspect said he was a retired herbalist and the victim willingly followed him on the journey to meet with his family in Akure.

Commander, Ondo Amotekun Corps Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said his operatives posted to motor parks noticed some funny behaviour between the young man and the suspect and on questioning, discovered that the boy did not know how he got to Ore.

” As far as the boy is concerned, he thought he was in Lagos.

On interrogation, we realized he has debriefed the boy and found out his father lives abroad and asked the boy to call his father to send money while being hypnotised.

“He was brought to the headquarter and we got a clue that his mother lives in Lagos and placed a call to her.

“Yes, we were thought to render helps to the elderly, but nowadays it has become the other way round in our society today.

“Somebody respectfully assisted an elderly person not knowing he is a spiritualist. I think our children should be wary of visitors and be mindful of who they assist.

“lt is bad enough that Yoruba tradition is more of it. That means we have to be more careful in any situation,”he said.

Adeleye said the suspect would soon be charged to court.

Mother of the victim, Mrs Rashidat Babatunde, who was in Akure to take her son home, said she got confused when she received a call that her son was in Akure.

“I told the person that I don’t know what they call Amotekun and that I have not been to Akure before.

“I was directed to go to Ojota and board a vehicle to Akure and that when I get to Akure, I should ask of Amotekun headquarters.

“I want to thank the Corps for such unbelievable gesture which rescued my son from his captor.

“I was not charged in any way, my son was handed over to me peacefully. I say kudos to the Ondo state government for setting up such an agency that is reliable and dependable,”she said.

Items found in the bag of the suspect include two daggers, a Calabash with black soap, an animal horn, charms, six Mobile phones, a diary with telephone numbers and a radio.