The Ondo State Security Network Agency, commonly known as the Amotekun Corps, has detained 95 suspected criminals throughout the state’s 18 local government areas for a variety of infractions.
According to the corps, the arrests were made possible by the assistance of operatives from the Nigeria Police Force’s state command, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army.
Akogun Adeleye, the state’s Amotekun Commander, made the statement on Sunday while dealing with journalists in Akure, the state capital.
According to the commander, the suspects were allegedly involved in crimes such as kidnapping, theft, burglary, and illegal mining.
He identified some of the suspects as Victor, 31; Jonathan, 34; Akpan, 35; Aliu, 27; Sanni, 20; Adeoye, 44; Ayodeji, 50; Abdullahi, 24; Doman, 25; Isaac, 20; Peter, 25; and Dada, 42.
Adeleye said, “In the last few weeks, there have been concerted efforts by all security agencies in the state, especially Amotekun, the police, civil defense, and the DSS, in tracking suspected criminals, and I want to say that it has actually yielded very good results.
“The 61 arrested found inside the trailer truck are suspected men that we are still profiling to determine what exactly will happen after profiling them.
“We have 19 that breached the law and order of the state. We have three on anti-grazing farmer-herder-related issues, and we have 12 that are kidnapping-related.
“The good news is that some of the kidnapping-related suspects were arrested in the restive Akure North Local Government Area, and we believe this will translate to peace in the area, especially with the joint operation currently going on.”
He mentioned that the suspected kidnappers were arrested in Ilu-Abo, Akure; Idogun-Ugbe; the Alagbaka area; Ayede, Akure; Iloro Camp; and Ogbese in the Akure North Local Government Area.
“On anti-grazing, we have Umai Jibril and Hassan. This brings the total of those being paraded for these activities to 34 here with us, and those not being paraded, who are being investigated right now, are 61.
“I want to place it on record that we were able to achieve this through the collaborative efforts of all the security agencies in the state, especially the police, the NSCDC, the DSS, and the Nigerian Army,” he stressed.
Adeleye warned criminals to desist from their activities or face decisive action from security agencies.
“Ondo State is not a safe haven for criminals. We will continue to collaborate with sister agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property,” the Amotekun Commander stated.
