Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, have arrested 99 suspected criminals, including individuals accused of disguising as mentally unstable persons to aid kidnapping and robbery operations across the state.
The Commander of the Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this while parading the suspects during a statewide security operation aimed at tackling rising criminal activities in Ondo State.
According to Adeleye, some of the suspects operated as fake lunatics while secretly engaging in drug trafficking, intelligence gathering for kidnappers, and other criminal activities.
“Our intelligence and plainclothes officers monitored and tracked them to places where they charged their phones, changed clothes and coordinated operations before they were arrested,” he said.
The Amotekun boss explained that several suspects were arrested during anti-kidnapping raids and operations targeting robbery, drug peddling and public disturbance across different parts of the state.
He disclosed that 60 of the suspects are currently facing prosecution, while 38 cases were resolved through Alternative Dispute Resolution. Thirteen others, he added, remain under investigation.
Adeleye also revealed that at least 10 suspects were arrested either at kidnapping scenes or while allegedly attempting to abduct victims.
In another development, Amotekun operatives rescued a kidnapped couple, Mr. and Mrs. Sanusi Kehinde, from abductors in Ilu-Abo community, Akure North Local Government Area, without payment of ransom.
The commander said the couple was abducted shortly after arriving at their residence around 6:30 p.m. when armed men who had allegedly laid ambush for them attacked and dragged them into a nearby forest.
Following a distress call, Amotekun operatives launched an immediate rescue mission into the forest, successfully rescuing the wife within minutes, while the husband regained freedom during an overnight operation.
Narrating the ordeal, Mr. Kehinde said the kidnappers attacked them with machetes and subjected them to severe beating.
“We had just returned home in Ilu-Abo, unaware that the kidnappers had been waiting for us. As I tried to come out of the car, they attacked and abducted us immediately,” he said.
“Our experience in the hands of the kidnappers was traumatic. They attacked us with machetes and beat us mercilessly.”
He commended the swift intervention of Amotekun operatives, saying the rapid response helped save their lives.
“The way Amotekun responded was incredible. In less than 10 minutes, they had rescued my wife. The Corps Commander himself was actively involved in the bush operation,” he added.
Adeleye attributed the increasing cases of kidnapping and violent crimes in parts of the South-West to pressure on criminal groups fleeing intensified military operations in northern Nigeria.
He assured residents that Ondo State remains secure, noting that Amotekun is collaborating with the military, police, DSS, NSCDC and other security agencies to flush out criminal elements from forests and communities.
“Our forests are no longer safe havens for criminals. Security agencies are working together to ensure the protection of lives and property,” he stated.
He further urged residents to support security agencies with credible information, assuring that all intelligence provided would be treated confidentially.
