The story is the stuff you watch on Africamagic Yoruba channel on DSTV. But it happened without the cameras and lights at a descript motor park in Ore, Ondo State.
Eighteen-year- old Segun Thomas was rescued by men of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps while being taken to an unknown destination by a suspected ritualist, who allegedly hypnotised him in Lagos.
The suspected ritualist, 65- year- old Akorede Lawal, was arrested in Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, where he and his victim had alighted from a bus.
An argument between the suspect and the victim at a motor park in Ore attracted people and men of the Amotekun Corps who were called in.
The victim narrated he was going to an automobile workshop in Mushin, Lagos State, where he is an apprentice and was surprised to find himself in Ore, Ondo state.
He said he agreed to help the suspect, but ended up following him.
It was in the course of questioning from the suspect that the victim revealed that his father is based abroad.
According to him: “On my way to the shop, I met this man that said I should help him to carry his bag that it was too heavy for him since he was carrying another bag.
“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 taught 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.
