The Ondo State Security Network Agency, widely known as the Amotekun Corps, has apprehended 95 suspects across the state’s 18 local government areas over alleged involvement in various criminal activities.
The arrests were part of a coordinated security operation involving the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Akure, the state capital, Amotekun Commander Akogun Adeleye said the suspects were detained for offences including kidnapping, burglary, theft, and illegal mining.
Some of the suspects, according to Adeleye, include Victor (31), Jonathan (34), Akpan (35), Aliu (27), Sanni (20), Adeoye (44), Ayodeji (50), Abdullahi (24), Doman (25), Isaac (20), Peter (25), and Dada (42).
He explained that intelligence-driven operations in recent weeks had yielded substantial results, noting that 61 of the suspects were intercepted inside a trailer truck and are currently undergoing profiling to determine their level of involvement in criminal activities.
“We also have 19 suspects arrested for breaching public peace and order, three linked to farmer-herder and anti-grazing violations, and 12 connected to kidnapping cases,” Adeleye said.
The commander added that several kidnapping suspects were apprehended in troubled areas of Akure North Local Government Area, including Ilu-Abo, Idogun-Ugbe, Alagbaka, Ayede, Iloro Camp, and Ogbese. He expressed optimism that the arrests would help restore calm to affected communities.
On anti-grazing offences, Adeleye disclosed that suspects Umai Jibril and Hassan were apprehended, bringing the total number of individuals paraded for such offences to 34, while investigations continue on remaining suspects.
Adeleye credited the success of the operations to effective collaboration among security agencies in the state and pledged that such cooperation would be sustained.
He warned criminals to abandon unlawful activities, declaring that Ondo State would not serve as a refuge for criminal elements.
“We will continue to work closely with sister agencies to protect lives and property. Anyone found engaging in crime will be decisively dealt with,” he said.
