By Tola Gbadamosi

Ondo Amotekun Corps Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, has issued a stern warning to criminals to vacate the state or face severe consequences from the Corps’ personnel.

Akogun Adeleye also disclosed that the Corps’ personnel have arrested 21 suspected criminals from various local governments in the state, emphatically stating that criminal activities are now under control.

He made this known while parading the 21 suspects who were arrested for various offences across the state.

According to him, “Our officers are fully committed to maintaining the safety and security of Ondo State. We will continue to thwart the efforts of criminals who seek to create havoc in our communities.

“Our resolve is unwavering, and we are prepared to confront any threat to ensure the peace and safety of our citizens.

“The more we devise means of checking them, the more they adapt. However, I am confident that, by the grace of God and with the support of the people of Ondo State in providing credible and actionable information, we will overcome these challenges.

“A typical example is the modus operandi of those specialising in kidnapping and stealing motorcycles.

“Earlier, we advised the public not to patronise motorcycle riders who use hoods to cover their heads, leaving only spaces for their eyes and nose, as these are known criminals, especially at night.

“We were able to break a syndicate that had devised another means of dispossessing innocent motorcycle riders of their bikes. Some of the riders have been killed.

“They use guns and heavy objects, and instead of mounting the motorcycle, they ride beside it and hit the rider on the head.

“As a result, the rider falls, and they seize the bike. Within minutes, the bike is dismembered, put in a sack, and taken out of the state.

“We apprehended the mastermind from Benin, and a serious manhunt is ongoing for the accomplice.

“We must also enlighten motorcycle riders to be wary of who rides behind them. The criminals even engaged us in a shootout to escape arrest.

“We also have a group that specialises in breaking into empty, unoccupied houses when the owners are not around. They burgle and empty the house of everything, which is then sold across various local governments.

“However, we have managed to retrieve some of the stolen items from different local governments.

“I want to warn those who take pleasure in buying cheap second-hand items to desist, as they will be treated as accomplices. If there is no ready market, it will discourage the vandals.

“Another group steals and extracts wires from houses and conduits, then melts the copper wires to sell them.

“We also apprehended suspected kidnappers near where ransom was paid. They have provided us with useful information.

“You will observe an increase in criminal activities, especially kidnapping, along the borders of Ose, Edo, Akoko, and the Kogi axis.

“Apart from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s directive for Amotekun rangers to dominate and flush criminals from the forests, we have devised security tactics to bring about relative peace at the border local governments of Edo-Ondo and Edo-Kogi.

“The results will be visible within a few days.

“We have 19 suspects for law and order offences and 2 suspects for kidnapping. These elements did not arise within the few weeks under review.

“The implication is that Ondo State remains relatively peaceful despite pockets of robbery and kidnapping at the borders.

“We have Olanusi Adurayemi and Kabiru Mustapha, armed robbery suspects; and Umaru Mohammed and Ahmadu Illiyan, suspected kidnappers,” he stated.

Akogun Adeleye further assured that the 21 suspects are being profiled and will proceed to court after investigations.