Amotekun officers arrested for alleged cocoa theft in Ondo

By Boye Oyeyemi –

Two operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, have been arrested for allegedly stealing cocoa pods in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects, identified as 45-year-old Ajayi Adebusuyi and 42-year-old Oluwadare Olubodun, were reportedly caught on a cocoa farm during a routine inspection along Gbalegi Camp, Idanre.

It was learnt that the farm caretaker, Friday Abbah, had set a trap following repeated complaints of missing cocoa, leading to the arrest of the officers.

The suspects were allegedly apprehended while harvesting cocoa pods, which were recovered from the scene and kept as exhibits.

They were later handed over to policemen at the Idanre Divisional Headquarters by local residents.

Confirming the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the action followed a series of complaints lodged by farm managers in the community.

According to him, investigators discovered heaps of empty cocoa pods on the farm, indicating that the thefts had been ongoing.

He added that the suspects were now in custody and that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.