Amotekun arrests 97 suspected kidnappers, others in Ondo

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun, has reported the arrest of 97 individuals involved in a range of criminal activities across the state. The suspects face charges including kidnapping, burglary, robbery, and violations of the state's anti-open grazing law.

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I have a total of 97 suspects arrested across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State within the last 14 days. Some were arrested directly in connection with kidnapping-related cases. Others were arrested for violating the anti-open grazing law of Ondo State. Some were arrested for burglary and robbery, while others were apprehended in connection with vehicle hijacking and theft.

Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, the state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, stated that the arrests were made during raids conducted over the past two weeks. He identified some of the apprehended individuals as members of armed robbery and kidnapping gangs operating in areas such as Ikare Akoko, Akure, and Ilu-Abo. The corps also reported breaking up a syndicate involved in vehicle hijacking and theft, recovering stolen vehicles and apprehending key suspects.

Adeleye highlighted a concerning new trend observed by the corps: women of various ages traveling into forest areas with personal belongings, including cooking utensils and bedding. Interrogations revealed that these individuals claimed to be fleeing security pressures in the North. They also admitted to being invited by members of northern groups with the alleged intention of destabilizing the peace in the southern part of Ondo State.

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I want to bring to the attention of the general public a new trend in criminality that we have observed. It involves women of different ages travelling in vehicles into the interior forests with household utensils, mortars and pestles, bedding, cooking utensils and personal belongings.

"One suspect told us he invited only two people to work for him, but those two people brought 51 others," Adeleye stated, expressing concern over the scale of this movement. He noted that these individuals were bringing numerous goods into previously unfamiliar forest areas, which he described as highly suspicious and indicative of a potential destabilization effort.

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One suspect told us he invited only two people to work for him, but those two people brought 51 others. The man who invited them confirmed that he had only requested two workers.