By MUFTAU OGUNYEMI

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, says it has arrested 39 suspects who allegedly fled Sokoto State and relocated into forest reserves in the state.

Mr Adetunji Adeleye, State Commander of Amotekun, made the disclosure on Tuesday in Akure while parading the suspects and 22 others arrested for various criminal offences in the state.

Adeleye said the 39 suspects arrested were fleeing to Ondo State after the recent United States–backed military strike against ISIS terrorists in Northern Nigeria.

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

“They claimed they relocated into the forests due to the strike on them in the northern part of the country.

“Elegbeka is a long-standing black spot for criminal activities, and it is the reason Amotekun 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 noted.

According to him, the suspects were not trekking when we arrested them, but were hibernating inside the forest, with vehicles parked far away from their hideout.

“We trapped them and brought them together. We are still profiling them but those found with incriminating materials will surely be prosecuted.

“The arrests are part of the agency’s ember-month security operations, which involves officers deployed on four major operations across Ondo State.

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

“A breakdown of the offences showed that 50 suspects were arrested for breach of law and order, two suspects for anti-open grazing violations.

“Six suspects were also arrested for kidnapping-related offences while three suspects were arrested for rape and gender-based violence,” the commander said. (NAN)

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