The Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, has arrested 17 suspected kidnappers and 15 other suspects linked to various criminal activities across the state.
The Commander of the corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this during the parade of the suspects, saying the arrests were made in coordinated operations carried out in different communities.
He dismissed reports making the rounds that bandits had invaded Akure and other parts of the state, describing such claims as false and misleading.
Adeleye said the 17 suspects were connected to kidnapping related offences, while 12 others were arrested for breaches of law and order. Three additional suspects were apprehended for violating the state’s anti grazing law.
According to him, the arrests reflect a recent increase in kidnap cases, but he assured residents that Amotekun remains fully in control of the security situation. “The operations we have carried out show that we are on top of things. Our men are responding promptly to intelligence, and the results are evident,” he said.
The commander revealed that among those arrested were three men accused of attempting to kill their Fulani employer after allegedly roasting 10 of his cows in Idoani. The suspects were identified as Ibrahim, 40, Yunusa, 30, and Abdukadri, 25.
In Oba Akoko, Adeleye said several kidnapping incidents had been recorded around the Akungba Akoko axis. He explained that Amotekun operatives acted on intelligence reports and mounted an ambush at a location believed to be a ransom exchange point. “At the scene, we arrested Pius, 23, and John, 35, who were assigned to collect ransom. Other members of the gang are still at large, but efforts are ongoing to apprehend them,” he said.
He further disclosed that Elura, Alilu, Adamu and Kamal, aged between 24 and 29, were arrested around Ile Oluji and Ondo town in connection with different criminal activities. Also arrested in the Akin Camp and Odigbo axis were Mohamed Abubakar, Abdulahi, Yakubu, aged between 22 and 35, and Abba Aliu, 29. Adeleye noted that one of the suspects had previously been arrested for kidnapping but escaped from lawful custody before being rearrested.
“The victims involved in these incidents were successfully rescued, and the suspects are now in custody,” the Amotekun commander said.
In Akure, three suspects were arrested in the Agbogbo area after they were found with items whose ownership they could not reasonably explain. Four others were apprehended at the Akure garage for conspiracy, assault and breach of public peace.
On operations carried out in Elegbeka Reserve Forest and Ifon, Adeleye said Abdulahi, Kada and Useni were arrested for conspiracy, stealing and violations of the anti grazing law, while one Friday, 43, was arrested for breaking and stealing. He added that Yayah Abba was apprehended for stealing motorcycles and water pumps, allegedly in collaboration with Masadi and Abubakar.
Reacting to reports of bandits infiltrating the state, Adeleye insisted that no such invasion occurred. He explained that a viral video claiming bandits had entered Akure actually showed 42 persons discovered hiding inside a bitumen truck loaded with bitumen. “Investigations and profiling of these individuals have commenced. Let me state clearly that bandits did not enter Akure,” he said.
He, however, noted that there had been an influx of young, unemployed men from the northern part of the country, adding that Amotekun, in collaboration with other security agencies, had continued to return those without genuine reasons for entering the state to their places of origin.
Adeleye reassured residents that Ondo State remains peaceful, stressing that criminal activities are gradually declining due to sustained security operations by Amotekun and other agencies.
