The Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun has said, that during the just concluded 2022 yuletide season, it arrested 150 suspected criminals and apprehended 6 trailers.
These was disclosed by the Ondo state Commander of the Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, while speaking with newsmen in Akure during the weekend.
According to Akogun Adeleye who also doubles as the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Security Matters; “150 suspected criminals and 6 vehicles were apprehended by the boarder patrol team at the 2022 exercise.
“Among those arrested were 16 suspected kidnappers who were arrested just before they conclude plans to carry out the dastardly act.
“We appreciate God for successes recorded at the just concluded yuletide season. You remember when we launched operation ‘Gba’le Gba’ko’ at the Osun/Ondo boarder patrol we assured residents of both states that it’s going to be as much as crime free celebration.
” Thank God that we didn’t record any violent crime throughout these period. We owe this to protection of God Almighty and with the support of the state Governor, Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
“Our appreciation also goes to the good people of Ondo state for giving us timely information over this period of time.
“During the boarder patrol exercise, we intercepted six trailers that were suspected to be highjacked and we were able to bring them to Akure and delivered the goods to the rightful owners.
” The drivers and the suspected armed robbers are still going through the normal criminal investigation procedure as some of them are already at the correctional center as we speak”, he said.
The Amotekun Commander further disclosed that during the yuletide season, “we deployed 550 men at every junctions and black spots of all major roads, until few weeks ago, when some amount of money were taken away from somebody along Alagbaka road in Akure.
” Apart from that incident, there was no kidnap within the Akure metropolis and at the boarders, we also had an onslaught against Kidnappers, especially in Ose and Akoko local governments area.
” Throughout this period, we only recorded two Kidnap incidents and 30 attempts. We also recovered locally made guns with which they they use to carry out their operations.
“Apart from these, we arrested Taxi drivers that deceive commuters so as to dispossess them of their wares and funds in the state”, the Commander stated.
He assured, that the Corps will continue to provide adequate security which he described as the major catalyst for socio -economic growth of Ondo state.
Despite crime being dynamic, he hinted, that all security agencies in the state which included; the Army, Policemen, the DSS, DIA, the Civil Defence Corps and the Ondo Amotekun Corps would continue to work together as one big family so as to ensure that peace continues to reign in the sunshine state.
“That is why the slogan of zero tolerance to crime is irresistible. I want to specially thank Heads of all security Agencies for their support towards a crime-free yuletide season in the state.
“On our part, we will try as much as possible to ensure that the welfare of our ground soldiers are well taken care of.
“We are beaming our searchlight towards all forests in the state now that the festive season are over to ensure that these criminals don’t come in again.
“About a year ago, we received over 500 petitions of farmers and herders clashes, but now, it has reduced to 20 letters. We want it not to exist again”, Akogun Adeleye said.