Amotekun arrests 15 suspected kidnappers, other criminals

— Rescued two farmers, one dies In captivity

By Dayo Johnson Akure

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has arrested and paraded 15 suspected kidnappers and other criminals allegedly terrorising residents across the state.

It also announced the rescue of two farmers abducted last week along the Ondo-Ife road in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area.

One other victim, however, died in captivity.

The State Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, said this while parading the suspects in Akure on Tuesday.

Adeleye said those arrested were involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling and housebreaking.

According to him the rescue operation was carried out jointly with the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Police.

“ A couple of days ago, we had this isolated case of kidnapping in Okeigbo, and nine of the Special Squad of Amotekun moved immediately we received the distress call.

“We equally contacted sister security agencies, especially the DSS, for joint tracking,” he said.

He added that the operation intensified after Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa called for urgent action.

“About 72 hours after the Governor called me personally and said that we must at all costs rescue these victims, I am glad to let you know that several kilometers away from the scene of crime, we successfully secured the release of the two of them that were kidnapped in Okeigbo,” Adeleye said.

According to him, the kidnappers tried to mislead operatives with false geolocations.

“I think every day they are coming up with new strategies, and that is why we equally developed non-kinetic measures in addition to intelligence-driven bush combing that we did,” he said.

The commander said Amotekun also arrested a group that specialised in kidnapping and rustling cattle from Fulani herdsmen in Ore, Ode-Aye, Ofosu, Omotosho, and Odigbo LGAs. He said the main culprits and their collaborators stole cows in three different locations.

He added that buyers of the stolen cows were also arrested. The rustled cows were allegedly sold for ₦100,000 each.

“These cow rustlers and their collaborators are on parade. We have two people, Akinlolu and Akintimi, who are being charged for illegal possession of firearms,” Adeleye said.

He listed other arrests to include Jamiu, who allegedly specialises in vandalising houses under construction by removing electrical cables and plumbing installations; and Olajide and Dada, who allegedly stole iron rods from a palace in Odigbo.

The Corps also paraded a 25-year-old man arrested for stealing a motorcycle and selling it in Ore.

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