By Tola Gbadamosi
In its continued efforts aimed at sanitising Ondo State of criminal elements, the state Amotekun Corps has paraded paraded a 17-year old Sunday Adegbulu who is specialized in vandalisation of electricity transformers.
Paraded alongside the vandal were suspected kidnapers among other 43 suspected criminals arrested for various offences across the 18 local government areas of the State, having been on constant 24/7 patrol across the council areas in the last two weeks.
Parading the suspects, Ondo State Commander of the Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the 45 suspected criminals have been engaging in various acts of criminal activities within the state.
According to the Amotekun Boss; “Of particular note is a set of criminals that engage in vandalization of electricity transformers.
“Fate caught up with one of them, Sunday Adegbulu who is 17 years old. Unfortunately, while cutting the cables, electricity was supplied and burnt half of his body.
“After a lot of trailing, we arrested him because the moment the incident occurred, he was rushed to three different hospitals and when they got wind of the fact that detectives from the Amotekun corps are on their trail, they moved him out of Akure.
“We continued and trailed him to the location and brought him in a very terrible state.
“Further investigations revealed that he was to be killed so that he will not reveal his sponsors. We had to revive him, brought him to the health facility of the corps and spent huge amount of money to make him come back to life.
“He was able to reveal to us nine other members of the gang, including their godfather who is now on the run. We are on the trail of the godfather and I can assure, that in no distant time, we will pick him up”, he explained.
Continuing, Akogun Adeleye said the Corps also apprehended one Jubril, a suspected kidnapper that was arrested a couple of weeks ago, but was released on bail and within 48 hours of his release, the residents and traditional ruler of his village called us that three people were to be kidnapped by the gang of this same suspect but we were able to apprehend them.
“It is of note that the security organization that arrested him is still going on with the court case on the initial kidnap case. Now, he has been arrested for another one.
“We also have cases of those that specialise in vandalization of electrical installations of uncompleted buildings all around. They pullout the wire, peel, melt and sell them to the same kingpin that I initially said is on the run and we’re still trailing them.
“Besides these, we have few cases of house lifters and shop buglers and we have those that were arrested in connection with kidnapping and cultism.
“Out of this 45 suspects, seven are already in court but we need them to throw light on our ongoing investigations, so, we sought the leave of the court to allow us few more days which was granted.
“That’s why they’re part of this 45 suspects. As soon as we complete investigation, all of them would be taken to court to face the full wrath of the law”,he assured.
He however, assured the people of Ondo State that the present administration is resolute in guaranteeing the safety of their lives and properties.
While stating that more than 70 percent of the suspected criminals were apprehended due to the timely information from residents,
But, we also want to appeal that they give us timely and accurate information to work with for more success in our operations.