Amotekun arrests 14 suspects for kidnapping, vandalism, others in Ondo

In Ondo State, Nigeria, the Amotekun Corps has apprehended 14 individuals implicated in a range of criminal activities, including kidnapping, theft, cattle rustling, and vandalism. The arrests underscore the ongoing efforts by the state's security network to combat crime across various localities.

Parading the suspects in Akure, the state capital, Commander Akogun Adetunji Adeleye highlighted the collaborative efforts with other security agencies that led to the successful operations. He detailed how the corps dismantled a group specializing in kidnapping and rustling cattle from Fulani herdsmen in areas like Ore, Ode-Aye, and Ofosu. Adeleye noted that the stolen cows were sold at significantly reduced prices, often under 100,000 naira, indicating a well-established network for disposing of stolen livestock.

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Today again, we have a group that specialises in kidnapping and rustling cattle from Fulani herdsmen in Ore, Ode-Aye, Ofosu, Omotosho, all in Odigbo local government. After very decisive actions, we were able to arrest the main culprits, who in collaboration with some at large, also stole these cows in three different locations; we have them here. We have those that bought these cows from him. He has ready markets across the state where he sends the cows to for sale at very ridiculous prices.

The suspects paraded included individuals involved in illegal possession of firearms, vandalism of houses under construction by removing electrical and plumbing installations, and theft of iron materials, even from the premises of traditional rulers. The Amotekun boss also reported the rescue of a couple who had been abducted from their farm in Okeigbo Local Government Area.

However, Adeleye disclosed that the wife of the rescued couple died during the rescue operation. He recounted the distress call received and the joint tracking efforts with sister security agencies, including the Department of State Services. Despite the tragic outcome for one of the victims, the successful rescue of the other highlights the corps' commitment to addressing security challenges in the state.

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A couple of days ago, we had this isolated case of kidnapping in Okeigbo and nine of the Special Squad of Amotekun moved immediately. We received the distress call. We equally contacted sister security agencies, especially the Department of State Security Services for joint tracking and we commenced action until about 72 hours after when His Excellency, the Governor, called me personally and he said that we must at all costs rescue these victims despite all we have been doing. I’m glad to let you know that several kilometers away from the scene of crime, we successfully secured the rele