Ondo Amotekun parades 97 suspected criminals

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–Women, informants, fake ‘madmen’ among suspects

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—- Raises alarm over influx of Northerners in Ondo forests

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By Dayo Johnson Akure

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Ondo State security outfit Amotekun has paraded 97 suspected criminals, including women, arrested across all 18 council areas within 14 days.

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Parading the suspects in Akure, Amotekun Commander Chief Adetunji Adeleye said arrests covered kidnapping, violation of the anti-open grazing law, burglary, robbery, vehicle hijacking and theft.

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Adeleye said that ” We equally have some individuals who confessed to being informants and suppliers to kidnappers in the forest, as well as confirmed members of kidnapping groups.

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He flagged a new trend: women of different ages travelling into interior forests with household utensils, mortars, pestles, bedding and cooking items.

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“Upon interrogation, they confirmed they were fleeing security pressure in the North. They admitted they were invited by some members of these northern groups to destabilise peace in the southern part of the state,” he said.

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Adeleye cited one suspect who invited two people to work, but they brought 51 others into the forest with various goods.

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“Another group of 16, allegedly invited by a “farmer,” was heading toward the restive Ose/Owo forest axis.

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According to him ” arrests also included members of armed robbery and kidnapping gangs operating in Ikare, Kajola, Akure, Ilu-Abo, Akure North, Mure, Oja-Mokan and other locations.

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“Amotekun arrested two persons pretending to be mentally ill.

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“They admitted they were paid to provide information. Some used the disguise to conceal their identities. We visited hospitals where they obtained medical cards to support the deception,” Adeleye said.

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He said another syndicate visited residents at night pretending to be guests, locked occupants indoors, produced firearms, forced money transfers, stole vehicles and locked victims up. Amotekun recovered the stolen vehicles.

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“We also recovered a vehicle used in an attack on our team at midnight to facilitate criminals’ escape. It was later driven into the forest and abandoned,” he added.

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Adeleye said suspects were profiled across Southern, Central and Northern senatorial districts. “I recall raising concerns two years ago about influx of young men. At that time we arranged truckloads to be transported back,” he said.

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He said Hausa/Fulani community leaders were invited. Those with no incriminating evidence will be handed over to the leaders and provided logistics to return to their places of origin.

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“Those found with incriminating materials or linked to criminal activities will face the full weight of the law,” he said.

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Adeleye credited Amotekun’s collaboration with police, DSS and Army for addressing major criminal incidents and restoring relative peace.

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