By Tobi Adetunji
Security operatives have arrested three men behind a job scam that almost led to the killing of 42 northern youths in Ondo last week.
Recalled that last week, there was palpable tension among the residents of Okitipupa, the headquarters of the Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state, as over 40 youths from the northern part of the country were arrested by the Amotekun operatives.
Nigerian Newdirect gathered that the youths, conveyed in a truck, were intercepted in front of the Okitipupa Army Barracks around 10 pm on Thursday and were taken to Akure, the state capital.
Many residents of the town had expressed apprehension that the northern youths were in the town to cause havoc.
However, the youths, who had claimed they were given jobs approved by the state government, were turned back after the governor refuted their claims.
But recently, fresh indications over the weekend proved that the youths were victims of a job scam, according to an investigation by the Department of State Services.
In a viral video sighted by our correspondent, three men suspected to be masterminds of the scam were being interviewed by a security operative.
The prime suspect, one Ayo who had claimed he was Reverend Bayo and at the same time, Dr Folajimi Williams, had allegedly written a letter seeking the mobilisation of young men from all over the country for training at Ondo State Army Barracks (including the 42 Northern youths).
His accomplices, a POS (Point of Sale) operator by the name Desmond and another who uses Desmond as a pseudonym, were seen being questioned by the officer.
However, as at the time of filing this report, all effort by correspondent to confirm the incident was abortive, but the Ondo State Police Public Relations officer said he was not aware of the situation.