Amotekun parades 58 suspects over kidnapping, Other Crimes In Ondo
By Tola Gbadamosi
In a renewed onslaught against criminal activities in Ondo State, the State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, has paraded 58 suspects apprehended for various offences, including kidnapping, across different parts of the state.
Speaking at the command’s headquarters in Akure, Adeleye revealed that among those arrested were 32 kidnapping suspects picked up within the past week.
He disclosed that the suspects, currently undergoing interrogation, were nabbed in Akure North, Akure South, Ose, and Akoko LGA.
“They were apprehended in forest reserves and other hideouts notorious for criminal activities,” he stated.
Adeleye explained that operatives of the Ondo State Security Network mobilised reinforcement from neighbouring local governments to launch operations into these criminal enclaves.
He assured residents that the government, in collaboration with security agencies, remains committed to flushing out criminals from both forests and urban centres.
“We want to reassure our people that, with concerted efforts by the government and security agencies, we will rid the state of criminal elements to ensure a safe environment,” he added.
The Amotekun boss further disclosed that in response to recent killings in Akoko North, security personnel have intensified patrols in affected communities, including Ago Dada, Ago Igbo, and Ago Ademetu, restoring normalcy in the area.
He assured residents, particularly farmers, that they could now go about their activities without fear, as a joint task force has been deployed to stabilise remote parts of Akoko North, where criminal activities had been rampant.
“As part of our strategy, the government has initiated plans to improve road access in these areas, ensuring swift security response in case of emergencies,” he said.
Adeleye also noted an emerging security challenge involving trucks conveying foodstuffs from northern Nigeria, which often arrive with hundreds of unidentified individuals without known destinations or contacts.
“These individuals, upon arrival, frequently become a public nuisance. To curb this, truck owners have been directed to limit the number of passengers per vehicle to five. Security personnel at the borders have also been instructed to turn back vehicles carrying excessive numbers of undocumented persons,” he explained.
He urged residents to collaborate with security agencies by providing credible intelligence, adding that the Miyetti Allah leadership had been engaged and had pledged to assist in identifying criminal elements within their ranks.
In a bid to further strengthen security in Akure North, Adeleye said the government had deployed a joint patrol team comprising the Army, Police, Civil Defence, and Amotekun operatives.
He stated that their efforts had restored peace to troubled communities such as Ago Ibo, Ago Dada, Ago Ademeku, and Ago Sonde.
“To sustain this, Amotekun has been directed to establish permanent control posts in these remote areas to prevent criminal resurgence,” he noted.
He recalled a past successful operation in which a suspect was arrested and subsequently led security operatives to his sponsors, who were later prosecuted and are now serving sentences.
Commending the efforts of the Armoured Rangers and other divisions of the security network, Adeleye encouraged residents, particularly those in forested areas, to utilise the Amotekun distress hotline (0807999989) to report suspicious activities.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to ensure peace and security across the state, warning criminal elements to either repent or face the full weight of the law.
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