The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested no fewer than 35 suspects for various criminal offences in a sweeping security operation carried out across the state.
The State Commander of the Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Monday while parading the suspects before journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
According to Adeleye, the arrests were made within the space of one week as part of intensified efforts by the corps to combat criminal activities and strengthen security across communities in the state.
He explained that the suspects were linked to a range of offences, including kidnapping, human trafficking, rape, burglary, and motorcycle theft. Among those apprehended were 11 suspected kidnappers, while two victims of rape were rescued during the operations.
The commander also revealed that three suspects connected to a human trafficking case were arrested for allegedly defrauding a woman of 1.4 million CFA francs. The suspects were said to have deceived the victim with false promises of helping her travel from Togo to Nigeria and facilitating a Canadian visa for her.
Adeleye said the victim was allegedly held against her will for about two weeks before she managed to escape and report the matter to security operatives. He noted that Amotekun personnel acted swiftly after receiving the complaint, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
He added that the operatives were able to recover the full amount allegedly collected from the woman, along with her passport, both of which have since been returned to her. The victim, he said, has also been safely reunited with her family.
Speaking further, Adeleye stated that several kidnapping incidents had recently been recorded in Akure North Local Government Area and some other parts of the state. However, he stressed that the corps had intensified proactive operations, patrols, and intelligence gathering, which he said have contributed significantly to reducing criminal activities.
He particularly pointed to a noticeable drop in housebreaking and related crimes, attributing the improvement to the enforcement of the state government’s ban on night-time motorcycle, popularly known as okada, operations.
In another development, the corps arrested six suspects for alleged involvement in motorcycle theft. The suspects were accused of attacking commercial motorcyclists with clubs before dispossessing them of their motorcycles.
Adeleye disclosed that some of the stolen motorcycles were dismantled and sold off in parts as spare components. He said the suspects have since been apprehended and were made to reassemble some of the motorcycles they had tampered with.
On the ongoing enforcement of the Ondo State Government’s motorcycle registration directive, the commander said compliance has continued to improve across the state.
He noted that more than 14,000 motorcycle riders have so far been registered across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, describing the turnout as encouraging.
Adeleye further announced that the government has extended the registration deadline by an additional seven days to allow more riders the opportunity to comply with the directive, while public sensitisation campaigns continue in various parts of the state.
He warned that enforcement would remain strict, noting that over 120 motorcycles have already been impounded for violating the registration order.
The Amotekun boss maintained that the corps would continue its crackdown on criminal elements and ensure that anyone found flouting security regulations or engaging in unlawful activities faces the full weight of the law.
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