Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as the Amotekun Corps, have arrested 21 suspected criminals in the state.

The suspects, who were paraded at the headquarters of the corps in Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, were apprehended in various parts of the state.

According to the Commander of Amotekun Corps in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, the arrested suspects were involved in crimes such as kidnapping, theft, and other offenses.

Adeleye further stressed that the security breaches usually recorded in border communities have been tackled while the corps, along with other security agencies, are working to ensure that the communal and cult-related clashes experienced in the state a few days ago do not reoccur.

He said, “Across the board, we have four kidnapped suspects, five that violated the anti-open grazing law, and 12 that breached the general law and order of the state. The implication of this, after due analysis, is that the state is relatively peaceful.

“The security breaches we have ranged from suspected kidnappers, fighting and civil disorder, wandering, anti-grazing, stealing of phones, attempted murder, stealing of aluminium products, destruction of properties, conspiracy and stealing of motorcycles, conspiracy, stealing, and aiding and abetting of motorcycles.

“One of the suspects here with a pester—not a gun, a rod—what they do is that he carries it (as you can see it on display) and hits the unsuspecting Okada rider in the head from the back and disposes of him of the Okada.

“It’s actually heavy, so with one knock, he goes off. Most times, he either passes out if there is no help or remains unconscious for several hours. We equally arrested one of them that we found handcuffed, and we’ve been trying to question and investigate which of the agencies owns the handcuff.

“We would continue to intensify our investigation to determine exactly where he escaped from. All he told us was that he escaped from custody, but he was not able to tell us which of the security agencies arrested him. He was actually trying to cut the handcuff when we arrested him.

“We equally have those that violated the anti-open grazing law. Going into the details, we have one Moses, Loki, Yakubu, and Mohammed as suspected kidnappers. Actually, two of these suspects set up the call.”