Ondo Amotekun arrests 32 suspects over kidnapping, grazing, theft

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, on Friday paraded 32 suspects arrested for offences ranging from kidnapping and violations of the anti-grazing law to conspiracy, assault and theft across the state.

Parading the suspects at the corps headquarters in Akure, the Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the arrests were the result of sustained surveillance and intelligence-driven operations carried out in collaboration with other security agencies.

Adeleye disclosed that security operatives had noticed an influx of unemployed youths from northern parts of the country into Ondo State, adding that those without credible reasons for their presence were being profiled and sent back to their states.

He also dismissed reports circulating on social media about an alleged bandit invasion of Akure, stressing that no such incident occurred. However, he confirmed that 42 persons were recently found hidden in a truck conveying bitumen and were currently undergoing profiling.

According to him, 12 suspects were arrested for breach of public order, three for anti-grazing and farmer-herder-related offences, while 17 were linked to kidnapping cases, reflecting a recent spike in such crimes in parts of the state.

The Amotekun boss disclosed that arrests were made in Idoani, Oba Akoko, Ile-Oluji, Ondo town, Odigbo and other locations, including suspects caught during ransom collection attempts and others linked to cattle rustling and theft-related offences.

Adeleye assured residents that the state remains safe, noting that all suspects had been handed over to appropriate security agencies for prosecution, while operations were ongoing to track fleeing suspects and further reduce criminal activities.