The Ogun State Police Command announced on Tuesday that one Olumide Openaike, a staff member of a microfinance bank, Kemta Oloko, reported to have been missing and found in Mokwa, Niger State, faked his abduction over a N1.7 million debt.
SP Omolola Odutola, spokesperson for the state police command, verified this with our correspondent on Tuesday.
Temitope, the banker’s wife, informed journalists that her husband, Olumide, went missing while on his way to work on January 17.
However, on Thursday, Temitope told reporters, “I am happy to tell you that my husband has been found in a place called Mokwa in Niger State. He called me on Tuesday afternoon.
“He got the phone from one of the residents there because he said those who abducted him collected his phone. We then told him to make a report at the police station there; the police officer on duty who spoke to us said he was in Mokwa.
“Transportation money was then arranged and sent to him; he got to Ibadan yesterday, Wednesday, where he slept, and his family members are at Ibadan. He will be back in Abeokuta today.”.
However, the authorities have classified the banker’s claimed abduction as a hoax.
Confirming the incident, Odutola said, “Yes, the police have found out that the banker, Olumide Openaike, faked his abduction over N1.7 million. The money belongs to the bank where he works.
“What happened was that a customer was remitting the money to the bank, but Openaike was diverting it to personal use. He said he then got depressed and decided to fake his abduction. He is already detained by the police.”
