The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, has arrested 39 suspects who allegedly fled Sokoto State and relocated to forest reserves in Ondo State.
The State Commander of Amotekun, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Tuesday in Akure while parading the suspects alongside 22 others arrested for various criminal offences across the state.
Adeleye said the 39 suspects were apprehended at the Elegbeka axis of Ose Local Government Area, a known security flashpoint where the Olufon of Ifon was m¥rdered some years ago.
According to him, the suspects claimed they moved into the forests following a recent United States–backed military str+ke against ISIS t+rrorists in northern Nigeria.
“Elegbeka is a long-standing black spot for criminal activities, which informed the establishment of a permanent Amotekun control post inside the forest to curb k+dnap and armed robbery,” he said.
The commander noted that government regulations require anyone staying in forest areas to obtain official permits, adding that the sudden influx of unfamiliar individuals raised serious security concerns.
He explained that the suspects were not trekking when arrested but were hiding inside the forest, with their vehicles parked far from their location. “We trapped them and brought them together. Profiling is ongoing, and anyone found with incriminating materials will be prosecuted,” Adeleye stated.
The arrests, he said, were part of the agency’s ember-month security operations involving four major deployments across Ondo State. Adeleye revealed that about 100 suspects were arrested during the period, with 61 paraded on Tuesday.
He added that 50 suspects were arrested for breach of law and order, two for anti-open grazing violations, six for k+dnapping-related offences, and three for r@pe and other gender-based v+olence offences.
