Ondo Amotekun Arrests 62 Suspects for Kidnapping, Armed Robbery, Arson

Fidelis David in Akure

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, (Amotekun) have arrested 62 suspected criminals across the 18 local government areas in Ondo State.

The State Commander of Amotekun, Mr. Adetinji Adeleye, who paraded the suspects at the corps headquarters in Akure yesterday, said that the arrest was part of the achievements of the 2023/2024 Ember Months Campaign and Operation 24/7 Patrols and Joint-border Patrols of the corps.

Adeleye, who doubles as the Special Adviser (Security Matters) to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, explained that the suspects were arrested for various alleged offences that included kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and theft among others.

He said: “Today, we are parading 62 suspected criminals arrested across the 18 local government areas and local council development areas of Ondo State. The arrest of these suspected criminals arouse from distress calls received, surveillance activities of Amotekun men and all the security agencies in the state, inclusive of the police, the civil defense, the DSS and the army in various joint operations.

“This ember month patrol is strategic as we are determined to guarantee safety of lives and properties in Ondo State and for those passing through the highways of the state.

“Across board, we were able to track down about 15 suspected kidnappers. Some of them with guns they use, the money received as part of the ransom and all they told those coming to pay ransom to bring along with the money.

“We have cigarettes, bread from Osogbo and another one from Ilorin because they gave them terms of how to package the ransom. But, the eagle-eyes operatives were able to arrest some of them, especially, in the Ala/Dada/Ago Oyinbo axis of Akure North Local Government,” he said.

Adeleye noted that the corps apprehended Mr. Usman Garuba, for kidnapping nine people in Ala-Dada axis as well as a 72-year-old security guard, Mr. Suleman Abubakar, who gave information leading to the kidnap of his boss.

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

“Suleman Abubakar, 72, was employed as a security man, in an establishment. What he did was to give out information about his boss to the kidnappers who came to kidnap and he was communicating with them. When we arrested him, we perused his phone and found out that he has contacts with the same number they were using to negotiate. So, he gives information to kidnappers.”

Equally, the Amotekun commander said that the corps arrested some suspected kidnappers terrorising the Elegbeka axis.

He said: “We have today, some armed robbers that were actually caught in the act in Akure metropolis and those that specializes in breaking shops.

“We have another group that broke into people’s houses during church service when they know that they would have gone out and we have those that steal goats. The vehicle over there was arrested yesterday fully loaded with goats and we went round Idanre and Ondo West Local Government where they like ‘Asun’. So, it will be easy for them to sell the goat but they were caught in the act.

“What we are saying in effect is that there is no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State because they will be caught. Therefore, they should leave the state.

“We want to thank the public for the support received, in terms of timely and quality information. I want to encourage them to do more while we the security agencies in Ondo State are determined to guarantee safety of lives and properties, especially during this yuletide period.”