Amotekun arrests 750 suspected criminals in three months

The Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has arrested over 750 suspects across the state between January and April 2025.

It said 175 of the suspects have been profiled and arraigned before the court of law.

Other suspects, according to Ondo Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, were undergoing investigation.

Adeleye cautioned residents in the state to be cautious of scavengers, saying an investigation showed the scavengers acted as spies for bandits and kidnappers.

He said the state government was working on stopping the activities of scavengers in the state.

The Ondo Amotekun Commander spoke when he paraded 32 suspects arrested for various crimes ranging from kidnappings, vandalism, armed robbery, rape and murder.

Among those arrested were 13 suspected kidnappers linked to the abduction of high-profile individuals in the state.

Adeleye said 180 cultists were arrested, out of which 80 cultists were asked to renounce cultism, while some were convicted.

He said the recently launched Operation Dada by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa helped to stem rising kidnapping incidents and attacks on farmers by kidnappers.

Adeleye said security has been beefed up at many border communities to prevent any attack by suspected herders.

He stated that the Corps received over 500 distress calls within the period under review and responded appropriately.

According to him, “The state government is working on banning activities of scavengers. Many of them have been discovered to be working for bandits, kidnappers, and armed robbers.

“Credible information provided led to the interception of 114 persons who were planning to stay in our forest. They have been sent back to their various states.

“We successfully returned the $5000 recovered from a syndicate that specialized in defrauding unsuspecting persons from Ghana.

“A total of 28 Ghanaians were among several victims of the scam and they have been advised to return to their country.