The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, has paraded 61 suspects arrested across different parts of the state for various criminal offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, rape, and violations of anti-open grazing laws.
Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this while addressing journalists during the parade of the suspects. He revealed that 39 of the suspects claimed to have fled from the Sokoto axis before being apprehended in Ondo State.
According to Adeleye, the suspects, aged between 18 and 45, are currently undergoing profiling, stressing that anyone found in possession of incriminating materials would be prosecuted in line with the law.
Breaking down the arrests, the Amotekun commander said 50 suspects were arrested for various breaches of law and order, two for offences related to the state’s anti-open grazing law, six for kidnapping-related crimes, while three were arrested for gender-based violence and rape.
He noted that the arrests were made during the Ember Month Patrol, which officially ends on Tuesday, adding that security operations would not be relaxed as Operation Le Jade Phase Two is scheduled to commence on January 1.
Adeleye further revealed that the corps has intensified patrols and strengthened collaboration with sister security agencies, especially along border communities linking Ondo State with Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Edo, and Kwara states. He added that 24-hour surveillance has been increased across the state, with Amotekun Rangers deployed to forest reserves to flush out criminal elements.
He attributed the successes recorded to sustained and coordinated efforts by officers and men of the Amotekun Corps to rid the state of crime.
Giving details of some arrests, Adeleye said two suspects, Mustafa (34) and Philip (45), were apprehended for kidnapping around the Ofosio area of Odigbo Local Government Area. In the Isua-Akoko axis, three suspects identified as Idris (18), Ibrahim Abdullahi (20), and Lawal Idris (23) were arrested for alleged criminal activities.
On cases of rape and assault, he disclosed that Daniel Ojo (19), Usman (33), and Bejide (41) were arrested in Isinkan for rape and for assaulting Amotekun officers.
The commander also revealed that suspected armed robbers, identified as Ola Tunbosun (30), Ibrahim, and Shahidu, were arrested in Akure North, Oba-Akoko, and Oba-Ile. He said the suspects were allegedly members of a robbery gang that recently stole a vehicle in Akure with plans to transport it to Abuja for sale. The stolen vehicle and a taxi reportedly used to rob unsuspecting passengers were recovered and displayed during the parade.
According to Adeleye, the gang operated by targeting densely populated areas, picking up passengers before introducing another gang member as an extra passenger, and then using a firearm to dispossess victims of their belongings before pushing them out of the vehicle.
He advised members of the public to remain vigilant, particularly when boarding taxis without proper markings or clearly visible registration numbers.
While commending Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for providing an enabling environment for effective security operations, Adeleye said the state government has continued to support security agencies without hesitation. He also lauded the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), vigilante groups, and members of the public for their cooperation in enhancing security across the state.
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