The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has rescued five kidnap victims, arrested suspected cattle rustlers and other criminals, across the state.
The State Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Monday while parading 14 suspects arrested for various criminal offences and briefing journalists on the recent achievements of the security outfit.
Adeleye said nine operatives of the Special Squad were immediately deployed after the corps received a distress call over the abduction of two persons in Okeigbo, in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo council area with the operation conducted in collaboration with sister security agencies, particularly the Department of State Services (DSS).
He said the operation lasted about 72 hours before the victims were located several kilometres from the scene of the abduction, deep inside a reserve forest. According to him, while the male victim was successfully rescued, the female victim was found dead.
“We commenced action until about 72 hours after when His Excellency, the Governor, called me personally and he said that we must at all costs rescue these victims despite all we have been doing,” Adeleye said.
He explained that the kidnappers attempted to mislead the security operatives through false geolocation information, forcing Amotekun to combine intelligence-driven bush combing with non-kinetic strategies.
“But the good news is that we had sent signals by this action that there is no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State,” he declared.
The commander also disclosed that one of the suspects linked to the recent kidnapping of two boys in Owo had been traced to Oyo State, with arrangements underway with sister security agencies to bring him back to Ondo for prosecution.
Adeleye said the corps had also busted a syndicate allegedly involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling in Ore, Ode-Aye, Ofosu and Omotosho areas of Odigbo Local Government Area, arresting the suspected main culprits and some alleged buyers.
“After very decisive actions, we were able to arrest the main culprits who, in collaboration with some at large, also stole these cows in three different locations,” he said, adding that the suspects allegedly sold the stolen cattle through ready markets across the state at “very ridiculous prices.”
He said two suspects, Akinlolu and Akintimi, were being charged with illegal possession of firearms, while others arrested included Jamiu, a 30-year-old man allegedly involved in vandalising buildings under construction, and Olajide, who allegedly specialised in stealing iron rods.
Another suspect, Lomi Dada, was allegedly arrested after stealing an iron rod from the palace in Odigbo, while Amotekun operatives also recovered a motorcycle allegedly stolen in Akure and taken to Ore for sale. Two suspects, Ojo and Opayemi, aged 25 and 29 respectively, were arrested in connection with the theft.
The commander further disclosed that two men kidnapped around the Ala-Dada axis were rescued after they managed to send a distress signal to security operatives, prompting Amotekun Rangers to move into the forest and secure their release within minutes.
Adeleye assured residents and prospective investors of the state’s improved security situation, saying the corps had intensified border patrols and deployed operatives across major junctions, forests and metropolitan areas.
Fidelis David
