The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, has announces the arrest of 39 suspects is said recently fled Sokoto State to relocate to forest reserves in Ondo State.
The State Commander of Amotekun, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Tuesday in Akure while parading the suspects alongside 22 others arrested for various criminal offences across the state.
Adeleye said the 39 suspects were apprehended at the Elegbeka axis of Ose Local Government Area, a known security flashpoint, after allegedly fleeing the northern part of the country following a recent United States–backed military strike against ISIS terrorists.
“A couple of days ago, the 39 suspects were apprehended together at the Elegbeka axis in Ose Local Government Area,” Adeleye said, noting that the area had long been associated with criminal activities.
“They claimed they relocated into the forests due to the strike on them in the northern part of the country,” he added.
According to the commander, Amotekun had earlier established a permanent control post inside the Elegbeka forest to curb kidnapping and armed robbery, stressing that anyone residing in forest areas must obtain proper government clearance.
“For anyone to stay in our forest areas, the government has made it clear that such a person must obtain permits. The sudden influx of these elements raises serious questions,” Adeleye said.
He explained that the suspects were not trekking when arrested but were hiding inside the forest, with their vehicles parked far away from their hideouts.
“We trapped them and brought them together. We are still profiling them, but those found with incriminating materials will surely be prosecuted,” he stated.
Adeleye said the arrests were part of the agency’s ember-month security operations, revealing that about 100 suspects were arrested across the state, with 61 paraded on Tuesday.
He added that a breakdown of the offences showed that 50 suspects were arrested for breach of law and order, two for anti-open grazing violations, six for kidnapping-related offences, and three for rape and gender-based violence.
[NAN]
