The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, has announced the arrest of 97 suspects linked to various criminal activities across the state during a two-week security operation.
The suspects were apprehended for offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery and burglary to vehicle theft and violations of the state’s anti-open grazing law, according to the agency.
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the Commander of the Ondo Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adeleye, said the arrests were made in coordinated operations carried out across all 18 local government areas of the state.
He disclosed that several of those arrested were allegedly connected to notorious kidnapping and armed robbery networks operating in communities such as Ikare Akoko, Kajola, Akure, Ilu-Abo, Akure North, Mure and Oja-Mokan.
Giving details of the operation, Adeleye 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 have been arrested. 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.”
The commander revealed that investigations also uncovered the activities of individuals allegedly providing logistical support to criminal gangs hiding in forests across the state.
According to him, some suspects were discovered living inside forest settlements with household items and personal belongings, raising fresh concerns about illegal occupation of remote areas.
Drawing attention to what he described as an emerging security threat, Adeleye said security operatives had observed an influx of people relocating into forest locations under suspicious circumstances.
“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.
“One suspect told us he invited only two people to work for him, but those two people brought 51 others. The man who invited them confirmed that he only requested two workers. These individuals subsequently brought 51 more people into the forest, loaded with various goods, to an area they had never been before. This is highly suspicious,” the commander said.
Adeleye said the agency remains committed to sustaining surveillance and intelligence-driven operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and preventing the establishment of illegal camps within Ondo forests.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains critical to maintaining peace and security across the state.
(Ripples)
