The Osun State Security Network Agency, known as the Amotekun Corps, has reported the arrest of a resident of the state, Banji Olaniyi, in connection with the disappearance of Damilare Akinranti, whom he had taken to a farm. The two individuals had been residing in Mooro until November 6, 2022, when Olaniyi, aged 31, took Akinranti, aged 24, to a farm located in Iguede Village.
However, Akinranti has not been seen since that day, while Olaniyi initially returned to Mooro but subsequently relocated to an undisclosed location and changed his mobile phone number. This prompted suspicions from the community, leading to a search that ultimately resulted in the arrest of Olaniyi over 11 months after Akinranti went missing.
According to a statement from the spokesperson of the Amotekun Corps, Yusuf Idowu, the circumstances surrounding the disappearance are as follows: “Eleven months ago, precisely Sunday, November 6, 2022, at around 9 am, Banji Olaniyi Julius convinced Damilare Akinranti, aged 24, to follow him to a farm in Iguede, Area 5, a distant farm in that same local government area. Akinranti has been missing since that day.”
The suspect, Olaniyi, had lured Akinranti to the farm without the knowledge of the victim’s family and had since disappeared from his home when it was discovered that he had taken Akinranti to the farm but did not return with him. In addition to changing his place of residence, Olaniyi had also changed his mobile phone number to evade detection.
The Amotekun Corps had been investigating the case since a complaint was filed by the family of the missing person at the Ife North Command of the Corps. Following a tip-off from their intelligence efforts, the suspect was located and arrested in Jagun village of Irewole Local Government Area.
The suspect has reportedly confessed to luring not only the missing person but also other individuals to the same farm in past years. He has now been handed over to the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the state for further legal action.
This incident serves as a reminder of the vital role that local security agencies like the Amotekun Corps play in addressing cases of missing persons and ensuring the safety of communities. The investigation and subsequent arrest demonstrate their commitment to bringing individuals involved in such cases to justice.