The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested 28 suspects for alleged involvement in kidnapping, armed banditry, robbery, rape, theft, cultism and other criminal offences in different parts of the state.
Among those arrested are a 56-year-old man, Iliasu, and his three sons – Usman, 33, Wahab, 27, and Yakubu, 18 – who were accused of abducting a man in Oba Akoko, Akoko South-West Local Government Area.
Speaking while parading the suspects at the Amotekun headquarters in Akure on Tuesday, the Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, alleged that the family had been on the agency’s watchlist since 2024 for suspected kidnapping activities in Ondo North Senatorial District.
According to him, the suspects disguised their criminal operations under the cover of cattle rearing.
He explained that the victim was abducted while travelling to Oba Akoko and that his family initially paid the demanded ransom without informing security operatives.
Despite receiving the payment, the kidnappers allegedly refused to release the victim and warned the family against reporting the incident to law enforcement agencies.
Adeleye said the matter was eventually reported to Amotekun after the victim remained in captivity, prompting the corps to launch an operation that led to his rescue and the arrest of the suspects.
“There is a particular suspect that we have been trailing since 2024 over kidnapping activities in the Northern Senatorial District. The long arm of the law eventually caught up with him during an operation carried out in the last four days,” Adeleye said.
He disclosed that the rescue operation was met with resistance, as the suspects allegedly attacked Amotekun operatives.
The victim was also reportedly assaulted with knives and cutlasses before his rescue.
According to the commander, the victim sustained injuries to the head and was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Adeleye added that operatives recovered more than 75 per cent of the ransom allegedly paid by the victim’s family, alongside drugs, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and an item suspected to have been used as a blindfold during the abduction.
The commander also announced several other arrests made across the state during recent security operations.
He said Musa and Aruna were arrested over alleged kidnapping-related offences in Owo, while Mohammed, Tekasu, Rabi, Abubakar, Saibu, Kalij and Adamu were apprehended for alleged armed banditry.
In separate operations, Ayodele, 26, Oluwatobi, 24, and Michael, 34, were arrested over alleged offences bordering on illegal possession of firearms, robbery and cultism.
A suspect identified as Olagi was also arrested in connection with alleged rape and stealing.
In Akure South Local Government Area, Idowu and Taiwo were apprehended over the alleged theft of a generator, while Olatunde, 39, Abdul, 27, and Amodu David were arrested over the alleged theft of food items.
The corps also arrested Akpaba Felix, 30, Agbonuma Abigail, 25, Mak, 24, Kelvin, 24, Kuma, 27, and Tuk, 24, at Oke-Ijebu in Akure for alleged conspiracy and breach of peace.
Reaffirming the state government’s resolve to combat crime, Adeleye warned that criminal elements would no longer find safe havens in Ondo State.
He said Amotekun personnel had been strategically deployed across forests, highways and communities to ensure the safety of residents and commuters.
“There is no hiding place for criminals again, whether in the forests or within our communities. Our operatives remain committed to ensuring that law-abiding residents can go about their daily activities without fear,” he said.
