The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested 53 suspects in connection with various alleged crimes across the state, including 21 undocumented foreign nationals found living in two apartments in Owo.
The suspects were paraded at the corps headquarters in Akure on Monday by the state commander, Adetunji Adeleye.
According to Adeleye, the 21 foreigners were arrested in Owo, headquarters of Owo Local Government Area, following intelligence supplied by members of the Fulani community in the state.
He said the suspects claimed they had entered Nigeria from neighbouring West African countries to do menial jobs and repair phones but could not provide documents authorising their stay in the country.
Adeleye expressed concern over what he described as the increasing movement of foreigners through Ondo State’s forests and cities under different pretexts.
He said the command had observed the trend over the past three months, particularly involving foreigners who allegedly presented themselves as phone sellers or repairers while staying in hotels or residential apartments.
The commander said 21 of the foreigners were discovered to have rented just two apartments in Owo, allegedly with the assistance of some indigenes.
“We found out that they don’t even have ECOWAS papers to guarantee their stay,” Adeleye said.
He added that the foreigners had been directed to relevant sister security agencies for further scrutiny and necessary action.
The Amotekun commander also warned landlords against renting properties to people without establishing their identities and the nature of their activities.
According to him, some property owners could face scrutiny for allegedly failing to properly identify their tenants, saying some landlords appeared more interested in collecting rent than knowing who occupied their properties.
Adeleye further warned that undocumented migrants abandoned by their sponsors could become vulnerable to recruitment by criminal groups.
“Apart from being likely to be suspected illegal immigrants, most times when their sponsors abandon them, they become ready tools as criminals and accomplices,” he said.
Beyond the arrests in Owo, the commander disclosed that the operation also uncovered an alleged self-kidnapping syndicate involving four suspects accused of using social media to create false kidnapping alerts and solicit money.
He said one of the suspects had initially approached the Amotekun office to report that his siblings had been kidnapped, but investigators later discovered that he was allegedly part of the scheme.
According to Adeleye, further investigation led security operatives to the home of the purported kidnap victim, where the man was found.
“We have four people here today that give self-kidnapping and raise false alarms using social media,” he said.
The commander also disclosed the arrest of seven other suspects allegedly involved in kidnapping operations following cooperation from members of the Fulani community.
He said a military uniform was recovered from one of the suspected kidnappers during an operation, while two kidnapped boys were rescued.
Adeleye said one of the rescued victims had sustained severe machete wounds to his head and body during the attack but was brought out alive and taken for medical treatment.
“With the cooperation we received from the Fulani community, we were able to jointly carry out an operation where a military uniform was recovered from one of the kidnappers, and we successfully retrieved the two kidnapped boys, though wounded,” he said.
He added that the injured victim was in stable condition.
The 53 suspects paraded by the corps were linked to various alleged offences, including kidnapping, self-kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, burglary, stealing and cultism.
Adeleye commended members of the Fulani community for providing information that assisted the security operations and identifying suspected criminal elements.
He also expressed appreciation to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for supporting the corps in its efforts to combat crime across the state.
The allegations against the suspects remain subject to further investigation and, where applicable, prosecution by the relevant authorities.
