Not less than 97 suspects have been arrested by men of the Ondo State Security Network codenamed Amotekun for offences ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, vehicle theft, and violations of the anti-open grazing law.
The Commander of the security outfit, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who disclosed this at the weekend, raised the alarm over what it described as a fresh movement of people from northern parts of the country into forest communities in the state, warning that the trend could pose security challenges if left unchecked.
Adeleye said security operatives intercepted several groups of people, including women of different ages, travelling into forests with household items such as bedding, cooking utensils, mortars and pestles, raising suspicions about their mission.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that some of the individuals claimed they were fleeing security pressure in northern Nigeria and had been invited by persons already residing in forest settlements within the state.
The Amotekun boss cited a case where a man who reportedly requested only two labourers later received 51 additional persons who moved into a forest area with their belongings. He described the development as suspicious and worthy of further investigation.
He also disclosed that another group of 16 persons, allegedly invited by an individual claiming to be a farmer, were intercepted while heading towards the Ose/Owo forest axis, an area that has witnessed security concerns in recent years.
Among the 97 suspects paraded, Adeleye said, were individuals arrested in connection with kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary, vehicle hijacking, and theft, as well as suspected informants and logistics suppliers to criminal gangs operating in forests across the state.
Adeleye revealed that some suspects confessed to acting as informants for kidnappers, while two others allegedly disguised themselves as mentally ill persons to conceal their identities and gather information for criminal elements.
The commander also announced the dismantling of a robbery syndicate accused of invading homes at night under the guise of being visitors, holding occupants hostage, forcing them to transfer money electronically, and making away with vehicles and other valuables.
Adeleye disclosed that security operatives recovered a vehicle allegedly used during an attack on members of a security team before it was abandoned in a forest.
He attributed the successes recorded in recent operations to collaboration between Amotekun, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigerian Army, noting that the joint efforts had contributed significantly to the relative peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
On the fate of those arrested, Adeleye said suspects found not to have committed any offence after profiling would be handed over to leaders of the Hausa/Fulani community and transported back to their places of origin, while those linked to criminal activities would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The security outfit also displayed several stolen vehicles recovered from the suspects.
