BREAKING: Amotekun Arrests 97 Suspects, Intercepts Groups Moving into Ondo Forests with Household Items
The Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun, has arrested 97 suspects across the state in a major security operation targeting kidnapping, armed robbery, vehicle theft, and violations of the anti-open grazing law .
Speaking during the parade of suspects at the agencyโs headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure, Amotekun Commander Akogun Adetunji Adeleye raised alarm over a fresh movement of people from northern parts of the country into forest communities in the state . Security operatives intercepted several groups of people, including women of different ages, travelling into forests with household items such as bedding, cooking utensils, mortars, and pestles .
Among those paraded were individuals arrested in communities including Ikare, Kajola, Akure, Ilu-Abo, Akure North, Murewo, and Ojoma Camp for alleged involvement in kidnapping and armed robbery activities .
Adeleye also revealed that two suspects arrested in Akure allegedly posed as mentally ill persons to gather intelligence for criminal groups. The suspects reportedly confessed to receiving payments for supplying information to kidnappers and even obtained hospital cards to support their disguise .
The commander disclosed that operatives dismantled a robbery syndicate known for disguising themselves as visitors before attacking residents, forcing victims to transfer money electronically and stealing their vehicles .
He cited a case where a man who reportedly requested only two labourers later received 51 additional persons who moved into a forest area with their belongings . Another group of 16 persons was intercepted heading towards the Ose-Owo forest corridor, an area that has witnessed security concerns in recent years .
Adeleye attributed the successes to collaboration between Amotekun, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army .
On the fate of the suspects, Adeleye said individuals found without criminal links would be returned to their states of origin in collaboration with community leaders, while those connected to criminal activities would be prosecuted .