The Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, has intensified surveillance across boarding schools in the state amid rising concerns over possible bandit attacks.
The Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed the development on Tuesday while assessing the security situation, noting that a heightened state of alertness had already been activated within the corps.
Adeleye said the agency had commenced full-scale patrol and monitoring of boarding facilities, particularly those located in border communities and remote outskirts.
According to him, operatives have increased their visibility in the last week, ensuring that schools are under constant watch as part of precautionary measures.
“In the wake of recent outcries over security breaches and kidnapping, the corps has commenced full enhanced patrol of all boarding schools in the state,” he said. “We have visited many of the schools in the past week and mounted surveillance on those with boarding facilities, especially in border towns and outskirts of the cities.”
He further stated that Amotekun’s round-the-clock patrol and ember-month operations had been strengthened at strategic border points to prevent incursions and enhance protection across the state.
As part of its recent operations, the corps paraded three suspected kidnappers identified as Olamiju (35), Udofia and Miracle. The suspects were reportedly apprehended at Agbaje Camp in Ala-dada, Akure North Local Government Area, while allegedly attempting to abduct residents.
Thirteen other suspects were also paraded for various offences, including armed robbery, theft, anti-grazing violations and fraud. Adeleye listed those arrested as part of the ongoing “Operation Le Won Jade,” an initiative he said had significantly disrupted the activities of criminals and illegal occupants of forest reserves across the 18 local government areas of the state.
“The total number of arrests in the last one week is 34, and we are parading 16 today,” he explained. Among those in custody are Abubakar, 24, arrested in Ogbese for anti-grazing violations; Usman, detained for stealing a drilling machine; and Ibuba, also arrested for anti-grazing offences. Others include Uche, accused of defrauding POS operators, and Samson, 32, allegedly involved in theft of farm produce.
Adeleye added that several suspects were arrested for attempted murder, robbery, and vandalism. They include Tosin, linked to robbery and attempted murder; Abiola, 25, arrested for attempted murder; Samuel, allegedly involved in armed robbery; and Sunday, 28, who was arrested alongside Tope, 25, and Dayo, 29, over phone theft. Additional arrests include Mohamed for anti-grazing activities and Subuloye for vandalising government property.
Despite the wave of arrests, Adeleye reported a notable decline in criminal activity in recent weeks, attributing the improvement to the sustained momentum of Operation Le Won Jade. He asserted that clashes between herders and farmers had also reduced, as many unauthorised occupants of forest reserves were retreating even before operatives arrived.
The corps commander commended traditional rulers for their cooperation, noting that timely intelligence from community leaders had prevented several potential security breaches. He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to strengthen safety across the state
