••Parades 100 Suspected Criminals
The Ondo State security outfit, codenamed Amotekun, has arrested 39 suspected terrorists who fled Sokoto State following the Christmas Day airstrikes carried out by the United States military in Nigeria’s North-West.
While parading 100 suspected criminals arrested across the state, the Commander of the security outfit, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, stated that the 39 suspects claimed to have fled from Sokoto State.
Adeleye explained that after escaping from the northern part of the country, the suspects relocated to forests within Ondo State.
He said, “A couple of days ago, 39 suspects were arrested, all claiming that due to the pressure on them in the northern part of the country, they were relocating into the forest.
“We are still profiling them. After the profiling, we may have to repatriate them, but those found with incriminating equipment and materials will surely be prosecuted.
“The government has made its position clear: to stay in our forest areas, you must obtain permits.
“The sudden influx of these individuals raises many questions that we are still investigating. I have also had them arraigned.”
Adeleye added that the collaboration between border patrol units of Ekiti/Ondo, Osun/Ondo, and Ogun/Ondo has yielded significant results. “Some suspects are not paraded today because investigations are still ongoing. We even Ogun State to bring some of them back,” he noted.
Speaking about the other suspects paraded, the Commander stated, “We have arrested about 100 suspects, 61 of whom are on parade today. Fifty were involved in breaching public peace, two were arrested for violating anti-open grazing laws, six for kidnapping-related offenses, and three for gender-based violence and rape.”
The Commander mentioned that the suspects’ ages range between 18 and 45 years.
Regarding the rape cases, Adeleye confirmed that three suspects—19-year-old Daniel Ojo, 33-year-old Usman, and 41-year-old Bejide—were arrested in the Isinkan area of Akure, the state capital.
Adeleye expressed appreciation to the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, “for providing an enabling environment for our operations.” He also thanked all security agencies “especially the DSS, vigilante groups, and the general public for their continued support.”
