…Says suspects strike on orders outside the state

… 142 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, others facing prosecution – Commander

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun, have arrested four suspects allegedly belonging to a criminal gang which has been terrorising various parts of the state.

The suspects were accused of being involved in the series of robbery attacks and kidnappings that have been rocking the state in the last eight months.

According to the Commander of Amotekun Corps in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, who disclosed this while parading the suspects along with others who were arrested for various offences, the gang had been taking directives from someone outside the state to perpetrate the crimes.

While revealing that the suspects had been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further investigation, the Amotekun Commander stressed that the suspects had confessed to the crime, particularly the instability in the state.

Adetunji also disclosed that no fewer than 142 suspected criminals, who were arrested for various offences in the state within the last month ranging from kidnapping, anti-grazing violations, farmers’ clashes and cultism, are currently facing prosecution.

He said, “The state had been bothered in the last few months by a number of criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping and a lot of other vices. I want to place it on record that the Ondo State Security Network Agency, through credible intelligence and very dogged activities of the operational department of the corps, we were able to get to the root of some of these criminal elements.

“Some of these criminal elements being transferred had very sinister motives which, by the grace of God and the support of the Ondo State government and all security agencies in the state, we were able to nip in the bud.

Specifically, the group that claimed responsibility for a number of violent robbery attacks, kidnapping and wanton destruction of properties, and the group leader that takes directives from somewhere outside the state, were apprehended.

“Their supply line was broken and apprehended, and one or two other members of this group were equally apprehended in a very fierce operation carried out by men of the Ondo State Security Network Agency.

“Because of the sensitive nature of the criminal activities of this group, they are going to be handed over to the Department of State Security Services for further interrogation and possible prosecution.

“The essence of this is to bring respite to the minds of the good people of Ondo State that their enclaves, at least those discovered in the forest, had been dismantled. We will still continue, in conjunction with all other security agencies, the police, the army, the DSS, Amotekun and Civil Defence.”