The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has arrested four suspected terror suspects allegedly linked to a series of violent crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping and destruction of property across the state.
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The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further interrogation and possible prosecution due to the sensitive nature of their operations.
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Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this while addressing journalists on the agency’s recent security operations carried out in collaboration with other security outfits in the state.
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Adeleye said the state had in recent months witnessed a rise in criminal activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping and other violent offences, prompting intensified intelligence gathering and coordinated operations across affected areas.
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According to him, through credible intelligence and sustained operations, operatives of the corps were able to track and dismantle criminal networks responsible for insecurity in parts of the state.
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He explained that the arrested gang was allegedly responsible for several violent attacks, adding that the group leader reportedly received instructions from outside Ondo State.
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Adeleye further disclosed that the gang’s supply chain was disrupted during a fierce operation, leading to the arrest of other members of the syndicate by operatives of the corps.
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He said: “The group that claimed responsibility for a number of violent robbery attacks, kidnapping and wanton destruction of properties, the group leader that takes directives from somewhere outside the state, was apprehended.”
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“Because of the sensitive nature of their operations, they are being handed over to the Department of State Security Services for further interrogation and possible prosecution,” he added.
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Responding to questions, the Amotekun commander confirmed that four members of the gang were arrested and transferred to the DSS.
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He also said the suspects confessed to several criminal activities linked to insecurity in the state over the past months.
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“Yes, they confessed to having commenced the operation, and the result of their operation is the instability that the state witnessed in the last eight months,” he said.
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“They confessed to several criminal activities involving several victims. Because of the sensitive nature of their operation, that is why we are sending them to the sister security organisation.”
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Adeleye assured residents that criminal enclaves discovered in forests across the state had been dismantled, adding that joint security operations involving the police, army, DSS, Civil Defence and Amotekun were ongoing.
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He noted that Ondo State’s large forest areas, which span several local government areas and border neighbouring states, had posed security challenges, but said coordinated clearance operations were ongoing to flush out criminal elements.
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The Amotekun commander added that the agency had shifted focus from mere arrests to ensuring prosecution of offenders.
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According to him, about 142 suspects arrested for offences including kidnapping, anti-grazing violations, farmers-herders clashes and cultism had been charged to court within the last one month.
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He also revealed that 64 other suspected criminals were currently undergoing profiling, adding that those found culpable would be prosecuted while others may be handled through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.