By Tola Gbadamosi

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A syndicate that specializes in snatching and dismantling motorbikes has been arrested by men of the Western Nigeria Security Network otherwise known as Amotekun Corps in Ondo State.

The syndicate usually operates within Ondo, Osun, and Ogun states by snatching motorbikes from owners at gunpoint and taken to their hideout where the bikes were dismantled before selling them.

Addressing newsmen while parading seven crime suspects in Akure, the Corps Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye disclosed that the syndicate usually carries out their nefarious activities within the three states, while the buyer always collects the dismantled bikes at Iwaraja junction along Akure/Ilesa road in Osun State.

A member of the syndicate, Olamide Wasiu, 35, from Osogbo, Osun State, who was arrested by Amotekun officials, confessed to the crime.

He revealed that they snatched motorbikes from different points and take them to their hideout where they dismantled them.

According to Olamide, the buyer usually come with a truck from Ibadan, Oyo State to meet them at Iwaraja junction, near Ilesa to take delivery of the consignment and pay.

He disclosed that after he was arrested by the Amotekun Corps, he called the buyer that another consignment was ready for sale, but he said he was currently in Abuja growing rice.

However, the Corps Commander said the command is on the trail of other members of the syndicate which has snatched over 100 motorbikes.

Meanwhile, another four-man armed robbery and kidnap syndicate was also bust by the formation.

They operated between Owo and Odigbo in Ondo State where they used a herd of cows to stop vehicles on the highway and in the process kidnapped unsuspecting motorists.

According to the Corps Commander, the suspects, Sunday Aboto, from Olamaboro Local Government Area, Kwara State, Yuduf George from Owo, and Odaka Joseph were arrested for kidnapping motorists.

The Amotekun boss, therefore, commended the media for their support for Amotekun and all security agencies in the state, which he confirmed has tremendously reduced the crime rate in the state.

He said: “These are suspects arrested in the last few weeks in the state for different crimes.

“The crime rate has tremendously reduced in the state. The synergy among all security agencies with journalists is responsible for the success. They informed the public in time about the antics and devices of criminals and this has helped the public from falling victim to criminals.

“I want to seize this opportunity to appreciate newsmen in the state for this synergy with all security agencies in the state.”