Amotekun Arrests 51 Suspected Kidnappers, Armed Robbers in Ondo
Amotekun Arrests 51 Suspected Kidnappers, Armed Robbers in Ondo
The Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has arrested no fewer than 51 suspected criminals, including suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, and an illegal armourer, in a major operation across the state.
Speaking while parading the suspects at the Corps headquarters in Akure on Friday, the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the arrests followed a series of raids on criminal hideouts, particularly kidnappers’ camps located in the forests.
According to Adeleye, six suspected kidnappers, who had been terrorising commuters and rural dwellers, were among those apprehended.
He disclosed that the syndicates had held several victims hostage in the past, subjecting families to trauma and heavy ransom payments.
The commander further revealed that one of the suspects arrested served as an armourer for a notorious gang, supplying weapons used in kidnapping and armed robbery operations across Ondo and neighbouring states.
“We are determined to flush out criminal elements from our forests and communities. The Corps, working with other security agencies, will not relent until Ondo State becomes completely safe for residents and investors,” Adeleye assured.
Items recovered during the operations include locally-made guns, live ammunition, charms, stolen motorcycles, and other incriminating materials.
He urged residents to continue providing useful intelligence to security agencies, stressing that the success of the operation was largely due to community cooperation.
The development comes amid rising concerns over insecurity in parts of the Southwest, with state security outfits stepping up efforts to combat kidnapping and banditry.
