The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, has arrested no fewer than 95 suspected criminals across the 18 local government areas of the state for various offences.

According to the corps, the arrests were made possible through the cooperation of operatives of the state command of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army.

The Amotekun Commander in the state, Akogun Adeleye, stated this on Sunday while speaking with journalists in Akure, the state capital.

The commander said the suspects were allegedly involved in crimes such as kidnapping, stealing, burglary, and illegal mining.

He identified some of the suspects as Victor, 31; Jonathan, 34; Akpan, 35; Aliu, 27; Sanni, 20; Adeoye, 44; Ayodeji, 50; Abdullahi, 24; Doman, 25; Isaac, 20; Peter, 25; and Dada, 42.

Adeleye said, “In the last few weeks, there have been concerted efforts by all security agencies in the state, especially Amotekun, the police, civil defence, and the DSS, in tracking suspected criminals, and I want to say that it has actually yielded very good results.

“The 61 arrested found inside the trailer truck are suspected men that we are still profiling to determine what exactly will happen after profiling them.

“We have 19 that breached the law and order of the state. We have three on anti-grazing farmers-herders related issues, and we have 12 that are kidnapping-related.

“The good news is that some of the kidnapping-related suspects were arrested in the restive Akure North Local Government Area, and we believe this will translate to peace in the area, especially with the joint operation currently going on.”

He mentioned that the kidnapping suspects were arrested in Ilu-Abo, Akure; Idogun-Ugbe; Alagbaka area; Ayede, Akure; Iloro Camp; and Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area.

“On anti-grazing, we have Umai Jibril and Hassan. This brings the total of those being paraded for these activities to 34 here with us, and those not being paraded, who are being investigated right now, are 61.

“I want to place it on record that we were able to achieve this through the collaborative efforts of all the security agencies in the state, especially the police, the NSCDC, the DSS, and the Nigerian Army,” he stressed.

Adeleye warned criminal elements to desist from their activities or face decisive action from security agencies.

“Ondo State is not a safe haven for criminals. We will continue to collaborate with sister agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property,” the Amotekun Commander stated. (Sunday PUNCH)

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