Just In : Amotekun Arrests 6 Notorious Kidnappers Who Set Village Ablaze 54 Others
Operatives of Amotekun security network in collaboration with men of Nigerian Army, Police and Civil Defence in Ondo State have apprehended sixty two suspected criminals including six notorious kidnappers who have been terrorising Owo-Ose-Akoko areas of the state.
Parading the suspects in Akure, the Commander of Amotekun corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, attributed the various successes recorded in the year 2023 to the effective synergy among security agencies in the state.
Akogun Adeleye, said the ember months joint patrol introduced in September is strategic to ensure safety of lives and properties of residents and travellers in the state.
The commander who is also the Special adviser to the State Governor on Security matters, disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers, Usman Garuba, raided and set ablaze many buildings at a village in Ose-Owo- Akoko axis because of an attempt by the villagers to expose their unholy activities.
Usman Garuba is a jailbird leading a dangerous kidnap gang operating in Ondo north senatorial district.
He was apprehended by men of Amotekun Corps during a raid of the hideout of his gang at Ala Dada/Ago Oyinbo axis of Akure, the state capital.
According to the state Corps Commander, the kidnap kingpin had successfully kidnapped nine persons and collected ransom from their families for their release.
When villagers in one of the communities along his axis of operations resisted him, Garuba returned midnight with his gang and razed shelters in sight and fled.
Acting on a rip-off, men of Amotekun Corps stormed Garuba’s hide-out and was subsequently arrested with other five members of the gang.
Found in their possession are single barrel guns, bullets, amulets, money received as part of ransom, food items including half bag of beans, rice, some loafs of bread, rolls of cigarette and other consumable items.
When profiled, it was discovered that Garuba and two among members of his gang had been convicted and jailed twice for different crimes.
According to him, the surveillance activities of men of Amotekun and all the security agencies in the state, in various joint operations is yielding positive results towards reducing crimes.
He said; “Today, we are parading 62 suspected criminals arrested across the 18 local government areas and local council development areas of Ondo State.
“The arrest of these suspected criminals arouse from distress calls received, surveillance activities of Amotekun men and all the security agencies in the state, inclusive of the police, the Civil Defense, the DSS and the Army, in various joint operations.
“This ember month patrol is strategic as we are determined to guarantee safety of lives and properties in Ondo State and for those passing through the highways of the state.
“Across the board, we were able to track down about 15 suspected kidnappers. Some of them with guns they use, the money received as part of the ransom and all they told those coming to pay ransom to bring along with the money. We have cigarettes, bread from Osogbo and another one from Ilorin because they gave them terms of how to package the ransom.
“But, the eagle eyes operatives were able to arrest some of them, especially, in the Ala/Dada/Ago Oyinbo axis of Akure North Local Government. We equally have some suspected kidnappers residing in and terrorizing the Elegbeka axis. We have today, some armed robbers that were actually caught in the act in Akure metropolis and those that specializes in breaking shops.
“We have another group that break into people’s houses during church service when they know that they would have gone out and we have those that steal goats. The vehicle over there was arrested yesterday fully loaded with goats and we went round Idanre and Ondo West local government where they like ‘Asun’. So, it will be easy for them to sell the goat but they were caught in the act.
“What we are saying in effect is that there is no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State because they will be caught. Therefore, they should leave the State. We want to thank the public for the support received, in terms of timely Andy quality information. I want to encourage them to do more while we the security agencies in Ondo State are determined to guarantees safety of lives and properties, especially during this yuletide period.”
The Amotekun boss, however, said the suspects will soon beautiful arraigned in court after conclusion of investigations.
