The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has arrested 98 suspected criminals across the state, including individuals allegedly disguising themselves as mentally unstable persons to evade detection while carrying out criminal activities.
The Commander of the Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this while parading the suspects at the agency’s headquarters, saying the arrests were made during coordinated security operations across different parts of Ondo State.
Adeleye revealed that one of the disturbing tactics uncovered by the agency was the use of fake lunacy as a cover for crime, explaining that some suspects deliberately posed as mentally unstable persons to avoid suspicion while engaging in illegal activities.
According to him, the suspects operating under the disguise were allegedly involved in kidnapping support operations, drug trafficking, robbery and intelligence gathering for criminal gangs operating within the state.
He said operatives monitored and tracked the suspects to locations where they allegedly changed clothes, charged mobile phones and coordinated criminal activities before they were eventually arrested.
“Our intelligence and plainclothes officers monitored and tracked them to places where they charged their phones, changed clothes, and coordinated operations before they were arrested,” Adeleye said.
Giving a breakdown of the arrests, the Amotekun commander disclosed that 10 suspects were apprehended either at kidnapping scenes or while attempting to abduct victims in different parts of the state.
He further stated that 60 of the 98 suspects are currently facing prosecution before courts of competent jurisdiction.
According to him, 38 cases have been resolved through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism adopted by the agency, while 13 other suspects are still undergoing investigation and interrogation ahead of possible prosecution.
Adeleye also disclosed that Amotekun operatives rescued a kidnapped couple in Iluwabu community without the payment of ransom following a swift rescue operation.
He explained that although the female victim was rescued during the initial operation, an overnight follow-up mission eventually secured the release of her husband from the kidnappers’ hideout.
The Amotekun commander attributed the rising incidents of kidnapping and other crimes to pressure from fleeing criminal elements relocating from northern parts of the country.
He, however, assured residents that Ondo State remains safe as security agencies intensify joint operations across forests and communities.