Ondo Amotekun intensifies forest patrols, says kidnappings declining

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has said intensified security operations across forest reserves and improved intelligence gathering have led to a decline in kidnapping cases in the state.

The State Commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this during an interview at the Amotekun Command Headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure, saying the agency strengthened its operations after criminal gangs shifted their activities to forests following the reduction in herders-farmers clashes.

According to him, the state government reinforced the Amotekun Rangers, with operatives now stationed in about 30 strategic forest locations to enhance surveillance and respond swiftly to security threats. He, however, noted that the vast size of Ondo’s forest reserves makes it impossible to deploy personnel to every part of the terrain.

Adeleye said the corps had prioritised the protection of farming communities, schools, hospitals and settlements while ensuring residents could quickly report emergencies through its dedicated distress lines. He added that many suspected kidnappers arrested by the corps had been prosecuted, with victims identifying suspects in more than 50 cases currently before the courts.

“The consistent arrest and prosecution of kidnappers have served as a strong deterrent to criminal elements. We are also recording success because of the cooperation we enjoy from local communities and other security agencies,” he said.

The commander attributed the agency’s achievements to collaboration with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, hunters, vigilante groups, traditional rulers and forest guards. He disclosed that joint clearance operations had recently been carried out with the Army in Akure North and with the NSCDC in other parts of the state.

Adeleye further urged governments at all levels to tackle youth unemployment, improve road infrastructure in forest communities and invest in surveillance equipment such as drones to strengthen security operations. He noted that inaccessible roads often delay emergency responses, forcing operatives to travel for hours on motorcycles and, in some cases, cross rivers before reaching crime scenes.

While commending Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for supporting the corps through the strengthening of Amotekun Rangers and the establishment of border patrol units along Ondo’s boundaries with Ogun, Ekiti and Osun states, Adeleye assured residents that the corps would continue to protect lives and property through intelligence-driven operations.