In a major breakthrough for the Southwest Security Network, also known as Amotekun Corps, a family of robbers, including a father, mother, and their underage children, was arrested in Ondo State. The arrest came amid the Corps’ intensified efforts to combat crime and insecurity across the state.
The revelation was made by the Ondo State Commander of Amotekun, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, during a parade of 20 suspected criminals at the Corps’ Headquarters in Alagbaka, Akure. Adeleye explained that the family, whose children are between the ages of 12 and 15, was involved in a string of house burglaries. For legal reasons, the minors were not paraded alongside the other suspects.
In a statement that underscored the commitment of the Amotekun Corps to safeguarding lives and property, Commander Adeleye detailed the unit’s recent success in foiling five kidnapping attempts and rescuing nine victims within the past week. The efforts have been concentrated on identified flashpoints such as the Elegbeka area, notorious for criminal activities. According to Adeleye, the Corps has conducted successful raids in the area, making it safer for residents and commuters.
He assured the public that Amotekun’s patrols have penetrated surrounding forests where criminals often operate, and pledged to intensify operations in areas like Ala, Ago Oyinbo, Ogbese, Jugbere, and Ifon forests. This strategy, he noted, is aimed at bringing lasting relief to communities affected by insecurity.
In addition to the family of robbers, Adeleye highlighted the arrest of a 28-year-old kidnapping suspect, Usman Abubakar, in Igbo Oba-Owo. Abubakar confessed to extorting two million naira from a kidnapping victim, providing details of how the money was distributed among his accomplices and their “godfathers.” The suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation.
While the arrest of the family of robbers drew significant attention, Adeleye used the occasion to highlight broader security achievements across the state. He reported that the state has seen relative peace in the past week, with no significant incidents related to land or chieftaincy disputes, labor union matters, or student affairs. Additionally, no new cases of human trafficking have been reported.
The Commander also addressed issues related to anti-grazing laws, confirming the arrest of one suspect, Muhammed Abubakar, in Ita-Ogbolu for violating the state’s anti-open grazing law. Furthermore, through a collaborative effort involving the police, local hunters, and Amotekun Corps, another suspect was apprehended in Akoko. The investigation into that case is ongoing.
In terms of cult-related activities, Adeleye revealed that three suspects were arrested with charms, arms, and ammunition, signaling the Corps’ unrelenting focus on curbing cultism and related violent activities in the state.
“We have remained on high alert to ensure peace across the state,” Adeleye said. “Ondo remains largely peaceful, but we are not resting. Our operations will continue to ensure that we bring to justice anyone who threatens the safety and security of our communities.”
The Amotekun Corps, established to provide grassroots security in the Southwest, has continued to strengthen its operations, often working in close collaboration with other security agencies such as the police and local vigilantes. Their ongoing presence in crime hotspots across Ondo State is part of a broader effort to curtail the activities of criminals, particularly those operating in hard-to-reach forest areas where kidnappings and robberies have previously thrived.
Adeleye’s remarks concluded on a positive note, as he assured the public that the Corps is working tirelessly to keep Ondo State safe and secure, urging residents to provide timely and actionable information that can aid in the fight against crime.