Ondo police destroy suspected criminal camps in forest operation

The Ondo State Police Command has disclosed that it has dismantled several suspected criminal hideouts during a large-scale security operation carried out in the Ilu-Abo Forest and adjoining communities.

The operation was led by the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, alongside tactical commanders and operatives as part of ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across the state.

According to the police, the team conducted extensive searches of identified flashpoints, forest corridors and locations believed to be used as safe havens by criminal elements operating within the area.

During the exercise, several makeshift camps and structures suspected to have served as criminal hideouts were discovered and destroyed. Operatives also carried out intensive sweeps of the forest to prevent the re-establishment of such camps.

The police said the operation was aimed at disrupting criminal networks, restricting the movement of criminals and strengthening public confidence in the state’s security architecture.

Addressing officers during the operation, Ohagwu reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led and proactive policing, stressing that forests and remote locations would not be allowed to serve as sanctuaries for kidnappers and other criminals.

“One of our key priorities is to ensure that every part of Ondo State remains inaccessible to criminal elements. We will continue to sustain aggressive operations across identified hotspots and deny criminals any safe haven within the state,” he said.

The commissioner noted that the operation aligns with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at strengthening internal security and tackling violent crimes nationwide. He also commended the operatives for their dedication and professionalism, urging them to maintain the momentum until criminal threats are effectively neutralised.