The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested 53 suspects in connection with various alleged criminal activities across the state, including 21 undocumented foreign nationals reportedly found living in two apartments in Owo.
The suspects were paraded on Monday at the corps headquarters in Akure by the state commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye.
According to the commander, the suspects were arrested for alleged involvement in kidnapping, self-kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, burglary, stealing and cultism.
21 Foreigners Arrested in Owo
Adeleye said the 21 foreign nationals were arrested following intelligence supplied by members of the Fulani community in the state.
He explained that the suspects claimed to have arrived in Nigeria from neighbouring West African countries to engage in menial jobs and phone repairs but were unable to provide documents authorising their stay in the country.
The commander said the corps had observed an increasing movement of foreigners through Ondo’s forests and urban centres in recent months under different pretexts.
He said some of those arrested had been posing as phone sellers and repairers while staying in hotels and rented apartments.
“Again today, we have 21 of them that rented only two apartments in Owo under the guise of coming in from neighbouring West African countries to do menial jobs and repairs of phones,” Adeleye said.
He added that the suspects allegedly did not possess ECOWAS documents to validate their stay in Nigeria.
According to him, the foreigners were being handed over to the appropriate government security and immigration authorities for further investigation and necessary action.
Landlords May Face Scrutiny
Adeleye also warned landlords who rent properties to undocumented foreigners without properly establishing their identities and activities.
He said owners of the two apartments could be subjected to scrutiny, alleging that some landlords were more interested in collecting rent than knowing the backgrounds of their tenants.
The commander further warned that undocumented foreigners abandoned by their sponsors could become vulnerable to criminal recruitment.
“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.
Self-Kidnapping Syndicate Uncovered
The Amotekun commander also disclosed the arrest of four suspects allegedly involved in a self-kidnapping syndicate.
According to Adeleye, the suspects allegedly used social media platforms to create false reports of kidnappings and solicit money from unsuspecting members of the public.
He said one of the suspects had approached the Amotekun office to report that his siblings had been kidnapped, only for investigators to later establish that he was allegedly an accomplice.
Following investigation, the suspect reportedly led security operatives to his residence, where the person who had allegedly been kidnapped was found.
“Upon detailed investigation, we found out that the man who rushed to the Amotekun Corps office to report that his siblings were kidnapped turned out to be an accomplice,” Adeleye said.
Two Kidnap Victims Rescued
Adeleye further disclosed that seven suspects were arrested in connection with alleged kidnapping activities following intelligence-sharing and cooperation with members of the Fulani community.
During one of the operations, he said, a military uniform was recovered from one of the suspected kidnappers, while two kidnapped boys were rescued.
One of the victims, according to the commander, sustained severe machete injuries to his head and other parts of his body after the kidnappers allegedly attempted to kill him.
The victim was rescued alive and taken for medical treatment and was said to be in stable condition.
“In an attempt to kill one of them, they macheted his head, his body and every part of him. We brought him back alive and he is now stable,” Adeleye said.
Amotekun Commends Fulani Community
The commander commended members of the Fulani community in Ondo State for providing intelligence that assisted the corps in identifying and apprehending suspected criminal elements.
He said the development demonstrated the importance of community participation and intelligence-sharing in the fight against crime.
Adeleye also expressed appreciation to the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for supporting the Amotekun Corps in its efforts to strengthen security and combat criminal activities across the state.
The commander reiterated the corps’ commitment to working with other security agencies and responsible members of the public to tackle kidnapping, cultism, theft and other forms of criminality in Ondo State.
