The Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, on Monday paraded 35 men allegedly involved in various criminal activities across the state’s 18 local government areas.
The suspects, arrested over the course of one week, were brought before journalists at the corps’ headquarters in Akure.
They include Musa Momodu, Abdullahi David Shamisu, Ismail Benard, Isiaka Abdullahi, Shehu Suleiman Abdullahi, Eyinloju Taiwo, Eyinloju Kejinde, Modest Mika, Emmanuel Ayodeji, Tope Dada, and Saliu Musa.
The corps commander, Akogun Adetunji, said the suspects faced charges ranging from kidnapping and rape to theft and human trafficking.
“We arrested 19 for breaking law and order, three for human trafficking, 11 for kidnapping, and two for rape,” he said.
On the human trafficking case, Adetunji said three suspects defrauded a victim of about 1.4 million cedis under the pretext of facilitating travel from Togo to Nigeria as part of a scheme to secure a Canadian visa.
The victim was held hostage for about two weeks before escaping and reporting to the corps. Operatives recovered the money and passports, which were returned to the victim.
Eleven suspects were linked to kidnapping-related cases in Akure and other local government areas, the commander added.
Six other suspects were arrested for motorcycle theft, with operatives establishing that the gang attacked riders with sticks, stripped the stolen motorcycles and sold the parts.
Adetunji said the suspects would be made to reassemble the dismantled motorcycles.
The commander also disclosed that a distress call over a stolen Lexus SUV in Owo prompted a swift response, with roads in and out of the town cordoned off and the vehicle recovered within hours.
On the enforcement of a night-time ban on commercial motorcycles, Adetunji said over 120 motorcycles had been impounded across the 18 LGAs for violating the directive, adding that about 14,000 riders had so far registered with the agency, with registration still ongoing.
He noted that criminal activities had reduced significantly since the motorcycle ban took effect, with fewer house break-ins recorded, and warned that defaulters would be sanctioned in accordance with the law.
