Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, have arrested four suspected members of a criminal syndicate linked to kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes in Ondo State.
The Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this during a press briefing and parade of suspects held at the agency’s headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure.
Adeleye said the arrests followed intensified security operations across the state in response to rising cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities in recent months.
According to him, the suspects were apprehended after operatives acted on credible intelligence and carried out sustained surveillance operations targeting criminal networks operating within the state.
“The corps successfully tracked down members of a gang allegedly responsible for violent robberies, kidnappings and destruction of property in parts of the state,” he said.
The Amotekun commander revealed that the gang leader, who allegedly received instructions from outside Ondo State, was captured during a coordinated operation by the security outfit.
He added that the syndicate’s supply chain was disrupted, leading to the arrest of other members of the group.
Adeleye further disclosed that the suspects had been handed over to the Department of State Services for further investigation and possible prosecution due to the sensitive nature of the case.
According to him, the suspects confessed to involvement in several criminal operations believed to have contributed to insecurity in the state over the past eight months.
“They admitted participating in several criminal activities involving multiple victims. Given the sensitive nature of the matter, we decided to transfer them to our sister security agency,” he stated.
The commander also assured residents that identified criminal hideouts within forest areas across the state had been dismantled as part of ongoing joint security operations.
He explained that Ondo’s vast forest reserves, spread across six local government areas and bordering three neighbouring states, had exposed the state to infiltration by criminal elements.
Adeleye said the ongoing security operation involved collaboration among the police, military, DSS, Amotekun Corps and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He added that the state was now placing greater emphasis on prosecution to ensure that criminal suspects faced justice.
“In the last one month, about 142 suspects have been charged before courts for offences ranging from kidnapping and cultism to anti-grazing violations and farmers-herders clashes,” he said.
The commander added that another 64 suspects were currently undergoing profiling and would be prosecuted where necessary, while less serious disputes could be resolved through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
