US Strike: Amotekun Arrests 39 Suspects Fleeing Sokoto in Ondo Forest, Parades 61

•Tightens grip across borders

Fidelis David in Akure

The ripple effect of the recent US military operation against ISIS terrorists in northern Nigeria reached Ondo State, as the state’s Security Network Agency, code-named Amotekun, yesterday, announced the arrest of 39 suspects, who allegedly fled Sokoto State and relocated into forest reserves in the state.

State Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed the development while parading 61 suspects arrested for various criminal offences at the agency’s headquarters in Akure.

Adeleye said the 39 suspects were apprehended at Elegbeka axis in Ose Local Government Area, a notorious security flashpoint where the Olufon of Ifon was murdered some years ago.

“A couple of days ago, 39 suspects were arrested together, claiming that as a result of the heat turned on them in the northern part of the country, they relocated into the forest,” Adeleye said.

Describing Elegbeka as a long-standing black spot for criminal activities, Adeleye said Amotekun had established a permanent control post inside the forest to curb kidnapping and armed robbery.

“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,” he stated.

He explained that the suspects were not trekking when arrested but were hibernating inside the forest, with vehicles parked far away from their hideout.

“We trapped them and brought them together. Profiling is almost completed. We are still profiling them. Those found with incriminating materials will surely be prosecuted,” he said.

The Amotekun commander explained that the arrests were part of the agency’s ember-month security operations, which involved officers deployed on four major operations across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, and had yielded over 100 arrests

He said, “As we round off the ember-month patrol, which ends tomorrow, we have arrested about 100 suspects, out of which 61 are on parade today.”

He said a breakdown of the offences showed that 50 suspects were arrested for breach of law and order, two suspects were arrested for anti-open grazing violations, six suspects for kidnapping-related offences, and three suspects for rape and gender-based violence.