Banji Olaniyi, a state resident, has been taken into custody by the Osun State Security Network Agency, also referred to as Amotekun Corps, in connection with the disappearance of Damilare Akinranti, who was taken to a farm.
Up until November 6, 2022, when Olaniyi, 31, took Akinranti, 24, to a farm in Iguede Village, the two men were reportedly residing in Mooro.
Since then, Olaniyi reportedly moved to an unidentified place and changed his mobile number, while Akinranti has not been seen since returning to Mooro.
In a statement released on Saturday in Osogbo, the Corps’ spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu, stated that after Olaniyi’s disappearance more than 11 months ago, suspicions were raised about him and a search was conducted. This ultimately resulted in his arrest in Jagun village, within the state’s Irewole Local Government Area.
A portion of the statement said, “Damolare Akinranti, 24, was persuaded to accompany Banji Olaniyi Julius to a farm in Iguede, Area 5, a remote farm in the same local government area, eleven months ago on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at around 9 a.m.; however, Akinranti has been missing ever since.
When it was revealed that the suspect had taken Akinranti to a farm in Iguede and had not returned with him, he fled from home. The suspect had lured his victim to the farm without the knowledge of his family members. He not only moved, but he also got a new cell phone number.
“In the Irewole Local Government Area’s Jagun village, the culprit was taken into custody. Since the family of the missing individual filed a complaint against him at the Ife North Command of the Corps, he has been under the attention of the Osun Amotekun.
After receiving a tip from our comprehensive intelligence collection, luck ran out on him. The suspect admitted to having led the missing person and numerous others to the same farm in the past after his arrest and first investigation.
The suspect, according to the Corps, has been turned over to the state’s National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for additional action.