The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, on Saturday said it arrested 97 suspects for various crimes across the state's 18 local government areas within the last two weeks.
The Commander of the Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this while parading the suspects in Akure, the state capital, saying those apprehended were linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary, vehicle theft, hijacking and violations of the state's anti-open grazing law.
Adeleye said the corps had also dismantled criminal syndicates involved in kidnapping and vehicle theft, recovering several stolen vehicles during the operations.
He said, “I have a total of 97 suspects arrested across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State within the last 14 days. Some were arrested directly in connection with kidnapping-related cases. Others were arrested for violating the anti-open grazing law of Ondo State.
“Some were arrested for burglary and robbery, while others were apprehended in connection with vehicle hijacking and theft. We were able to break a syndicate that has been operating in Ondo State. The stolen vehicles and some of the principal suspects are here on parade with us.”
The Amotekun commander further revealed that some of the suspects confessed to serving as informants and suppliers for kidnappers operating in forested areas of the state.
“We equally have some individuals who confessed to being informants and suppliers to kidnappers in the forest, as well as confirmed members of kidnapping groups,” he stated.
Adeleye also raised concerns over what he described as a new pattern of criminal activity involving groups of people relocating into forests in parts of the state under suspicious circumstances.
According to him, security operatives intercepted women and men travelling with household items, bedding materials and cooking utensils into remote forest locations.
“I want to bring to the attention of the general public a new trend in criminality that we have observed. It involves women of different ages travelling in vehicles into the interior forests with household utensils, mortars and pestles, bedding, cooking utensils and personal belongings.
“Upon interrogation, they confirmed they were fleeing security pressure in the North. They also admitted that they were invited by some members of these northern groups to come and destabilise the peace in the southern part of the state, which had previously been very peaceful,” he said.
The commander disclosed that one suspect admitted inviting only two labourers but was surprised when they arrived with 51 additional persons.
He said another group of 16 persons allegedly invited by a purported farmer was intercepted while heading towards the volatile Ose/Owo forest axis.
Adeleye said those arrested included suspected members of armed robbery and kidnapping gangs operating in Ikare, Kajola, Akure, Ilu-Abo, Akure North, Mure and Oja-Mokan, among other communities.
He also disclosed that two suspects arrested during investigations had been disguising as mentally unstable persons to gather information for criminal elements.
“We also arrested two persons who were pretending to be mentally ill when they were not. They admitted they were being paid to provide information, although they claimed they did not know the information was being supplied to criminals.
“Some used the disguise to conceal their identities. We even visited hospitals where they had obtained medical cards to support the deception, only to discover it was part of a criminal ploy,” Adeleye said.
The corps commander further narrated how operatives dismantled a syndicate that specialised in invading homes at night while pretending to be guests.
“In another operation, we dismantled a syndicate that specialised in visiting innocent residents at night while pretending to be guests. They entered homes without firing a shot, locked occupants indoors, produced firearms, ate and rested, and in the early hours of the morning forced victims to transfer money into various accounts before stealing their vehicles,” he explained.
Adeleye credited the recent successes to collaboration between Amotekun, the police, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army, noting that the joint efforts had contributed significantly to the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
Speaking on the fate of the suspects, he said those found culpable would be prosecuted, while individuals against whom no incriminating evidence was established would be profiled and returned to their states of origin.
“We have invited the leadership of the Hausa/Fulani community. Present here today are leaders of the community, including their chairman. We are handing over those individuals against whom no incriminating evidence has been found and providing logistics to transport them out of Ondo State to their places of origin after profiling.
“However, those found with incriminating materials or linked to criminal activities will face the full weight of the law,” he added.
Adeleye commended residents for providing useful information to security agencies and urged them to remain vigilant, assuring that Ondo State remained safe despite prevailing security challenges.
“Despite ongoing security challenges, Ondo State remains safe, and residents can go about their lawful businesses without fear of molestation. However, if you see something, say something, so that we can prevent crime rather than merely respond to it,” he said.
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