Men of the Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, have busted a syndicate specializing in raiding electronics shops in the southwest geo-political zone.
The security output also recovered stolen goods worth ₦300 million and arrested seven people in connection with various crimes committed within the last two weeks in the state.
Parading the suspects, the Commander of the security outfit, Chief Adetunji Adeleye said the arrests and recoveries were part of ongoing efforts to reduce crime in the state.
Adeleye said the security outfit was celebrating the recovery of life and property saying the operations in the past week have led to a reduction in cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary, and cult-related activities.
According to him, those arrested were suspects linked to a theft syndicate involving electronics. Adeleye said the items, mainly phones and gadgets, were stolen in Lagos and transported to Ondo State through the Ojota Motor Park.
Adeleye said one of the suspects boarded the same bus conveying the goods and repackaged the items into an empty carton during the journey. He said the act was discovered during a stop for fuel, prompting further investigation and the eventual recovery of the stolen goods.
Adeleye said the goods belonged to a licensed electronics dealer in Ondo State and would be returned to the owner after the court processes the necessary documents.
Also arrested were suspects involved in a recent kidnapping case. The suspects have abducted two victims along Akure/Itaogbolu Road in the Akure North local government area of the state.
The kidnappers had demanded a N50 million ransom from the families of the victims. However, they were rescued after 96 hours of search in the forest. He said the victims were rescued without payment of ransom.
Adeleye said: “We advise residents not to pay ransom, and we are glad that most kidnap cases in the last two months have been resolved without payment.”
Others paraded included a local gang leader arrested after evading arrest for six months, a repeat offender who jumped bail and fled to Kano but was rearrested and brought back, and a suspect involved in violent clashes with herders.
