The impact of the recent United States-backed military offensive against ISIS terrorists in Northern Nigeria has reached Ondo State, as the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, on Tuesday announced the arrest of 39 suspects who allegedly fled Sokoto State and relocated to forest reserves in the state.
The State Commander, Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye disclosed this while parading the 61 suspects arrested for various criminal offenses at the headquarters of the agency in Akure.
According to Adele, the 39 suspects were caught at Elegbeka axis in Ose Local Government Area, a notorious security point where the Olufon of Ifon was murdered some years ago.
“A few days ago, 39 suspects were arrested together, claiming they had gone into the forest because of the heat in the northern part of the country,” Adele said.
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Adele, who described Elegbeka as a long-standing black spot for criminal activities, said Amotekun had set up a permanent control post inside the forest to prevent kidnappings and armed robberies. He said, “For anyone to stay in our forest areas, the government has made it clear that such a person will have to obtain a permit. The sudden influx of these elements raises serious questions.”
He said when the suspects were arrested they were not tracking but hibernating inside the forest, with their vehicles parked far away from their hideout. “We trapped them and brought them together. Profiling is almost complete. We are still profiling them. Those found with objectionable material will definitely be taken to task.”
The Amotekun commander explained that the arrests were part of the agency's Ember-month security operations which involved officers deployed on four major operations in 18 local government areas of Ondo State, which ultimately resulted in over 100 arrests.
“As we complete the amber-month patrol, which ends tomorrow, we have arrested about 100 suspects, 61 of whom are on parade today,” he said.
He said an analysis of the crimes showed that: 50 suspects were arrested for law and order violations, 2 suspects for anti-open grazing violations, 6 suspects for kidnapping-related crimes, and 3 suspects for rape and gender-based violence.
Adele said that although the amber-month patrols would end soon, security operations would not be relaxed. “Operation Le Won Z phase two will commence from January 1, while our 24/7 patrolling will continue, as will the Amotekun Rangers who remain active in the forests.”
Adele said two suspects, Mustapha (34) and Philip (45), were arrested for kidnapping around Ofosu, Odigbo axis, while three others, Idris (18), Ibrahim Abdullahi (20) and Lawal Idris (23), were captured in Isua Akoko.
On the rape and attack on Amotekun officers, he disclosed that Daniel Ojo (19), Usman (33) and Bayajide (41) were arrested at Ishinkan area of Akure. “Also, Amotekun operatives arrested Ola Tunbosun (30) along with Ibrahim and Shahidu for armed robbery at Akure North, Oba Akoko and Oba-Ile.”
The Amotekun boss also disclosed that the agency had recently busted a robbery gang that was terrorizing residents of Akure and other parts of the state. “The robbery took place in the center of Akure. They stole a car that was on display and dispossessed residents of their valuables.
According to him, the suspects used unpainted taxis without visible registration numbers to lure passengers before threatening them with guns and robbing them. “We were successful in arresting three suspects and the taxi. I appeal to the public to be wary of taxis with no readable registration numbers,” he warned.
Responding to questions on security strengthening following military attacks in the North, Adele affirmed that inter-state cooperation between the South-West Amotekun Corps has significantly improved border security.
“The coordination between the border patrols of Ondo/Ekiti, Ondo/Osun and Ondo/Ogun is yielding tremendous results,” he said. In fact, some of the suspects not paraded today were arrested in Ogun State and brought back to Ondo.
