Amotekun arrests 62 suspected criminals in Ondo

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun, on Monday, paraded no fewer than 62 people who were allegedly involved in various criminal activities across the state.

The state security corps said the suspects were arrested in various locations across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Parading the suspects at the headquarters of the agency in Akure, the state capital, the Commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the arrests were part of the efforts to ensure the festive period was crime-free.

According to him, the corps was able to make the arrests following the assistance of other security agencies in the state.

Adeleye said, “The arrest of these suspected criminals arose from distress calls received, surveillance activities of Amotekun men and all the security agencies in the state, inclusive of the police, NSCDC, DSS and Nigeria Army, in various joint operations.

“This ember month patrol is strategic as we are determined to guarantee safety of lives and property in Ondo State and for those passing through the highways of the state. Across the board, we were able to track down about 15 suspected kidnappers. Some of them with guns they used, the money received as part of the ransoms paid to them and all they told those coming to pay ransom was to bring along with the money, cigarettes, bread from Osogbo and another one from Ilorin because they gave them terms of how to package the ransoms.

“But, the eagle-eyed operatives were able to arrest some of them, especially, in the Ala/Dada/Ago Oyinbo areas of Akure North Local Government. We equally have some suspected kidnappers residing in and terrorising the Elegbeka area (in Ose LGA). We have among them, some armed robbers who were actually caught in the act in Akure metropolis and those who specialise in breaking shops.”

Among the suspects, the commander said, was one Usman Garuba who was arrested for alleged kidnapping and arson. The suspect, who was an ex-convict, was alleged to have burnt down a village.

“He (Garuba) was arrested around the Ala/Dada/ Ago-Oyinbo area. He had successfully kidnapped over nine people and collected ransoms. At a point in one of the villages, because they attempted to fight him, he led five other people back to the village at night and burnt down the whole village. So, we have him in our custody and he’s also an ex-convict,” Adeleye stated.