Amotekun Arrests 51 Suspected Kidnappers, Robbers In Ondo

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, has apprehended at least 51 suspected criminals across the state.

The command revealed that the arrests were carried out in all 18 Local Government Areas, including forested areas.

Established in 2020, the Amotekun Corps is part of a regional security initiative by South-West governors aimed at tackling rising insecurity, including kidnapping, armed robbery, herder-farmer clashes, and banditry spreading from other regions.

At a press briefing held at the corps headquarters in Akure on Friday, the state corps commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that the suspects were involved in crimes ranging from kidnapping, human trafficking, rape, breach of law and order, to violations of anti-open grazing laws.

He stated, “Today, we are parading 51 suspects arrested in various nooks and crannies and forests of the state. We have 37 suspects arrested for breach of law and order. We have six major kidnap suspects and one case of abuse, which is rape.

“As a result of the activities of the Amotekun Rangers in the forest, we were able to dismantle a terrible kidnap syndicate. One of their armourers, who happened to be here today, has been arrested, and he has confessed to five major kidnap operations within the state.

“On those that pretend to be hawkers and pick metals, but are actually collaborators and information-gathering agents of kidnappers and robbers, we have David Abdul, 22, Abdullai, 27, Sani, 22, Ahmed, 26, Emma, 20, and Dayo.

“On human trafficking, we have one Ibrahim, 42, and we have one Agu Joseph, who is a jailbird that actually escaped from Okitipupa Custodial Centre to commit another crime, where Amotekun operatives picked him.”

Adeleye added that of the 51 suspects, 35 will be prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction, while the remainder will undergo internal dispute resolution.

He further warned criminals to stay away from Ondo State, emphasizing the corps’ commitment to public safety. “So, across the board, these 51 suspects have gone through various stages of interrogation, and about 35 of them will be going to a court of competent jurisdiction today, while the others will face the internal dispute resolution method, and if they scale through, we will be able to resolve at that level, otherwise, they will end up at a court of competent jurisdiction.

“With this, what we keep saying, and we are still saying, is that Ondo State is not safe for criminals. Pack your things and go. We have told you that the government and the good people of Ondo State are opposed to kidnapping for ransom. Our watchword is to ensure that Ondo State remains safe for investors to thrive and work,” the Amotekun boss concluded.

Source: Informationng