Ondo Amotekun parades ex-convict, 27 suspected criminals

By Tola Gbadamosi
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, has paraded a 55-year old ex-convict and alleged serial rapist, Ayodele Ijilakinro, who recently completed a three-year jail term for a similar offense.
Despite his previous conviction, he was found to have resumed criminal activities and was apprehended again.
Ijilakinro was paraded alongside 27 other suspects arrested across the state’s 18 local government areas in the past week.
Speaking during the parade, the State Corps Commander, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, detailed the arrests, stating that 24 of the suspects were involved in various breaches of law and order.
Ijilakinro, who previously served time for rape at Olokuta Correctional Centre and was released in February last year, admitted in an interview with The Hope Metro that he had sexual encounters with multiple women.
However, he claimed that some of the encounters were consensual and that three out of six women who testified against him were not among those he forced.
He explained that he sometimes met these women while traveling between Akure and Idanre, and some introduced themselves to him.
“I have raped three ladies. I gave some of them money,” he confessed.
Recalling his past conviction, he stated that he was jailed in 2021 following a case involving his neighbor, whom he sold a product called Super Grow to and later assaulted.
According to him, he often took some of the women to hotels, where they ate, drank, and engaged in sexual activities.
Commander Adeleye emphasized that despite these arrests, Ondo State remains relatively peaceful.
“Notably, there have been no recorded violations of existing laws, no crises related to land or chieftaincy disputes, and no labor union conflicts.
Similarly, there were no reported incidents of human trafficking, student unrest, militancy, or religious clashes. However, one case of farmer-herder conflict was recorded, and three individuals were arrested for suspected kidnapping,” he stated.
The Commander identified three suspected kidnappers—Akpan, Alimi, and Emmanuel—who were arrested in Akure, Emure, and Ipeme-Owo, respectively.
Among those apprehended was Adu Ojo, who specialized in ATM fraud. His method involved manipulating ATM machines to trap victims’ cards, retrieving them with a secret code, and emptying their accounts before they could react.
In another case, two individuals, Mafo and Asara, were arrested for conspiracy and rape.
Other arrests included Idris Umaru, who was caught illegally grazing on a farmer’s land and using underage herders, as well as three suspected burglars—Oluwafemi, Francis, and Sunday. Another suspect, Lawal, was arrested for stealing mobile phones and pumping machines.
Additionally, Ismaila Kazim was paraded for a unique form of robbery targeting commercial motorcycle (Okada) riders.
His strategy involved attacking riders, stealing their motorcycles, and selling them.
Despite these isolated incidents, the Amotekun Corps assured residents that Ondo State remains safe for business and social activities.
When asked how many suspects had been charged so far, the Commander said, “I don’t have the exact figure, but the 28 we have here today will undergo final profiling.”
He added that those found culpable would be arraigned in court the following morning.