Ondo Amotekun Parades 29 Suspected Criminals Across 18LGA.
By Exponent.
Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun have arrested 29 suspected criminals across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State in the last one week.
The state Commander of the agency, Mr Adetunji Adeleye while parading the suspects at corps headquarters in Akure on Monday, said the suspects were arrested for various alleged offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery unlawful possession of firearms, theft among others.
“In the last one week, we were able to arrest 29 suspects that were involved in different forms of security breaches which ranges from kidnapping, armed robbery, house breaking, shop lifting, stealing of motorcycles among others.”
Adeleye said the corps also arrested a 29 year-old Mathew Phillip who left the correctional centre on January 1st and got arrested again on January 4th for the same offence he was previously jailed.
“One issue of note is that on all of such instances, we always have a recycled criminal. Like in this case, there is a particular suspect that left the correctional centre on January 1 and on January 4, 2024, (less than one week), he went into burglary crime again.
“The ex-convict claimed to be a drug dealer who also engage in robbery activities. We equally have about four suspects that violated the anti-grazing law of the state.
He emphasized that, “the same way, those that were involved in illegal possession of firearms and have been on our watchlist in the last five months were arrested with guns, locally made pistol with which they perpetrate evil .
“Towards the yuletide season, we made it clear that there was not going to be any major bank robbery, or robbery operation throughout. I want to thank officers of the the Amotekun Corps, the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the DSS, and those that joined hands in ensuring that safety of lives and properties in Ondo State throughout the yuletide period was not compromised.”
The Corps Commander who vowed that there is no hiding place for criminals in the state noted that the suspects will be profiled and will have a full day on prosecution as soon as possible.
Besides, Adeleye debunked the rumour making the rounds that Bandits invaded Ondo community and overwhelmed operatives of the corps, saying it was a ruse, false , unbalanced and as well, unfounded targeted at causing chaos in the state.
“It is so obvious that the said writer of the story did so, for selfish gain from a quarter which the main intention was to dowse the morale of the corps in the state over such mischievous write up.
“We advice the general public to ignore such fake News and go about their legitimate businesses as the Akoko area of the state is safe for movement as the joint security agencies are fully on ground to ensure safety of lives and properties.”
As we talk now, the state is one of those that claims is safest. You will recall that early November will reassured members of the public that they are going to enjoy the Xmas and New Year holidays without fear of being molested. We placed it on record that there would not be bank robbery in Ondo state.
“So I want to say that it was a cheap blackmail orchestrated by enemies of progress of the state and it is aimed at discrediting the corps but we refused to be distracted. We will continue to serve our people and provide a quality security services that we are reputed for and it was what we all know that the 18 local government areas in Ondo state are safe from all these criminals activities. We refused to be distracted by the mischiefs makers who are determined to rubbish the integrity of the Amotekun.”
