Amotekun arrests 16 suspected bandits in Ekiti

By Boye Oyeyemi –

The Ekiti State Government has stepped up security measures following the arrest of 16 suspected bandits by operatives of the Amotekun Corps in Oye Local Government Area.

The suspects, said to have come from neighbouring Kwara State, were arrested on Wednesday by the Oye Local Government Command of the security outfit.

The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued by the Amotekun Director of Information, Mr Adeleye, and made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti.

According to the statement, residents of Isan-Ekiti raised an alarm after the suspects were sighted in large numbers with cattle around the Gede Farm settlement, triggering fear in the community.

Amotekun operatives were immediately mobilised from nearby posts and subsequently intercepted and apprehended the suspects within Oye Local Government Area. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects had fled Kwara State following sustained security operations against banditry in the area.

The statement added that the suspects confessed to involvement in cattle rustling and other criminal activities targeting residents of Kwara communities.

Items recovered from them included cash, seven mobile phones, assorted charms, three Vigilante Group of Nigeria identity cards, and several herds of cattle.

The suspects have been handed over to the Rapid Response Squad of the Ekiti State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.