Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Ekiti State, Nigeria — The Ekiti State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, has arrested 16 suspected bandits believed to have moved into the state from neighbouring Kwara State, security officials confirmed. The arrests were made on Wednesday in Oye Local Government Area, following a rapid response to intelligence reports and community alarm.
According to a statement issued to journalists by the Director of Information for the Amotekun Corps, Mr. Adeleye, operatives received credible information that a significant group of armed suspects were sighted with cattle around Gede Farm Settlement in Isan‑Ekiti. The unexpected gathering of men with livestock in the rural area triggered panic among local residents, prompting calls for urgent intervention.
Amotekun officers swiftly mobilised reinforcements from neighbouring outposts and moved to the scene, conducting a coordinated operation that led to the successful apprehension of all 16 suspects without reported clashes. Initial on‑the‑spot screening indicated that the group had migrated into Ekiti State amid recent intensified anti‑banditry operations in Kwara State by security agencies there.
Preliminary interrogations suggest that the suspects fled their home state in response to pressure from law enforcement and may be involved in cattle rustling activities, particularly targeting vulnerable rural communities. Cattle rustling — involving the theft of livestock from farms and grazing fields — has long been a source of insecurity in parts of the North and has increasingly prompted coordinated security responses.
The suspects were handed over to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Ekiti State Police Command in Ado‑Ekiti for further investigation and prosecutorial action. The transfer to the police underscores a growing collaboration between state security networks and conventional law enforcement agencies in addressing cross‑border criminal threats.
Mr. Adeleye reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting lives and property across Ekiti State, warning that individuals or groups seeking to exploit local communities as safe havens will face decisive action. He reiterated that intelligence‑led patrols, community partnerships and swift operational responses remain central to Amotekun’s strategy for maintaining peace and security throughout the state.
The arrests come against a backdrop of heightened security cooperation between Ekiti and neighbouring states, where shared concerns over banditry, cattle theft and other forms of rural crime have spurred joint patrols and intelligence‑sharing initiatives. Local leaders in Isan‑Ekiti welcomed the swift action by Amotekun, noting that the presence of suspected armed men with cattle had caused fear and disruption to farming activities.
Authorities continue to appeal to residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious movements or unusual gatherings in rural areas, as part of efforts to pre‑empt crime and bolster community safety.
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