The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, has arrested 39 suspects who allegedly fled from Sokoto State and took refuge in forest reserves across parts of Ondo State.
The State Commander of Amotekun, Mr Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Tuesday in Akure while parading the suspects alongside 22 others arrested for different criminal offences across the state.
Adeleye said the 39 suspects were apprehended at the Elegbeka axis in Ose Local Government Area, an area known for security challenges.
He explained that the suspects allegedly relocated to Ondo forests following a recent United States backed military strike against ISIS terrorists in northern Nigeria.
“A couple of days ago, the 39 suspects were apprehended together at the Elegbeka axis in Ose Local Government Area, a notorious security flashpoint where the Olufon of Ifon was murdered some years ago,” Adeleye said.
According to him, the suspects claimed they moved into the forests due to the military strike carried out in the northern part of the country.
He described Elegbeka as a long standing black spot for criminal activities, noting that the situation informed the establishment of a permanent Amotekun control post inside the forest to curb kidnapping and armed robbery.
“For anyone to stay in our forest areas, the government has made it clear that such a person must obtain permits. The sudden influx of these elements raises serious questions,” he added.
The Amotekun commander explained that the suspects were not trekking when they were arrested but were hibernating inside the forest, with their vehicles parked far away from their hideouts.
“We trapped them and brought them together. We are still profiling them, but those found with incriminating materials will surely be prosecuted,” Adeleye said.
He stated that the arrests were part of the agency’s ember month security operations, which involved officers deployed across four major operational areas in the state.
“As we round up the ember month patrol, which ends tomorrow, we have arrested about 100 suspects, out of which 61 are on parade today,” he said.
Adeleye added that a breakdown of the arrests showed that 50 suspects were picked up for breach of law and order, two for anti open grazing violations, six for kidnapping related offences, and three for rape and gender based violence.
The suspects, he said, would be handed over to appropriate security agencies after profiling for further investigation and prosecution.
