A video with false claims that Amotekun, a regional security network in southwestern Nigeria, has arrested Ekiti schoolchildren kidnappers recently went viral on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter) and WhatsApp.
“Ekiti child kidnappers captured by Amotekun and local hunters used drones to discover and locate them. A combination of intelligence, technology and raw courage. What local police can accomplish Imagine that,” said social media user @RashwalRashwal. Said The night of February 3rd after the video was uploaded.
The post had been viewed more than 417,000 times and reposted more than 1,100 times as of Sunday morning.
“This is a huge shame for the police. We need the state police now. This is nothing but courage and determination. Thank you so much to them,” said one user of the social media platform. Said while resharing the video.
To confirm the authenticity of the post, HumAngle performed a reverse Google image search. It was learned that the video first appeared online on January 16, when local security agencies arrested several armed robbers in Osun State.
The persons in the viral video were arrested by the Amotekun Anti-Cult Squad in a joint operation with the Police Anti-Cult Squad during an armed robbery operation at the Dangote Integrated Steel Rolling Mill in Osogbo.
Ekiti State Police Spokesperson Sunday Abutu also told HamAngle that the kidnapped students and teachers regained their freedom on Sunday morning but no arrests had been made.
“All the victims were rescued around 1:30 a.m. today, but unfortunately we lost the driver, who was likely killed by the kidnappers,” he said.
He added that “not yet” regarding the arrests. “However, the operation will continue as we want to ensure that the culprits are arrested and face the full wrath of the law.”
On Monday night, some students were abducted along the Emre-Epolo road while returning home from school. The incident, among other things, has sparked a public backlash, with many social media users calling for the creation of a state police force.
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