Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps) have arrested 39 suspected terrorists who allegedly fled Sokoto State following what they described as “powerful and deadly” United States airstrikes against militants linked to the Islamic State in north-western Nigeria.
The arrests were disclosed on Tuesday in Akure by the Ondo State Amotekun Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, while parading a total of 61 suspects apprehended across various parts of the state during the ongoing Ember Month Patrol.
According to Adeleye, the 39 suspects, aged between 18 and 45, claimed during interrogation that they escaped from Sokoto State and moved towards the South-West in the aftermath of the airstrikes carried out by the United States.
He said the suspects are currently undergoing profiling, adding that those found with incriminating materials would be prosecuted accordingly.
“These 39 suspects themselves claimed they fled from the Sokoto area,” Adeleye told journalists.
He said the arrests followed intensified patrols and enhanced collaboration with sister security agencies, particularly in border communities linking Ondo State with Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Edo and Kwara states.
Adeleye added that the corps has expanded its 24-hour surveillance with the deployment of Amotekun Rangers to forest reserves across the state.
Providing a breakdown of the arrests, the Amotekun commander said that out of the 61 suspects paraded, 50 were arrested for various breaches of law and order, two for offences related to anti-open grazing laws, six for kidnapping-related crimes, while three were arrested for gender-based violence and rape.
He explained that the Ember Month Patrol would officially end on Tuesday but assured residents that security operations would not be relaxed, as Operation Le Jade Phase Two is scheduled to commence on January 1.
Adeleye attributed the spate of arrests to sustained and coordinated efforts by officers and men of the Amotekun Corps to rid the state of criminal elements.
He commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for providing an enabling environment for effective security operations, noting that the state government has continued to support security agencies without hesitation.
He also lauded the Nigeria Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services, vigilante groups and members of the public for their cooperation.
On specific cases, Adeleye said two suspects – Mustafa (34) and Philip (45) – were arrested for kidnapping around the Ofosio area of Odigbo Local Government Area.
In the Isua-Akoko axis, three others identified as Idris (18), Ibrahim Abdullahi (20) and Lawal Idris (23) were apprehended for alleged criminal activities.
On rape and assault cases, he disclosed that Daniel Ojo (19), Usman (33) and Bejide (41) were arrested in Isinkan for rape and for assaulting Amotekun officers.
The corps also arrested suspected armed robbers identified as Ola Tunbosun (30), Ibrahim and Shahidu in Akure North, Oba-Akoko and Oba-Ile. The suspects were alleged to be part of a robbery gang that recently stole a vehicle in Akure, with plans to transport it to Abuja for sale. The stolen vehicle and a taxi reportedly used to rob unsuspecting passengers were recovered and displayed during the parade.
Adeleye explained that the gang’s modus operandi involved operating in densely populated areas, picking up passengers, introducing another gang member as an extra passenger, and then using a firearm to dispossess victims of their belongings before pushing them out of the vehicle.
He urged residents to remain vigilant, particularly when boarding taxis without proper markings or readable registration numbers.
