Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, commonly referred to as Amotekun Corps, has announced the arrest of 95 suspected criminals, including 12 alleged kidnappers and 83 others, in a coordinated security operation across Ondo State. The arrests were disclosed on Sunday during a briefing in Akure, the state capital, as part of efforts to tackle rising crime in the region.
Amotekun Commander Akogun Adetunji Adeleye said the suspects were apprehended across all 18 local government areas of the state following weeks of intelligence‑led patrols and joint operations with other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army.
Of the total number detained, 12 individuals are suspected to be involved in kidnapping‑related offences. These suspects were arrested in hotspots of criminal activity within Akure North Local Government Area, including Ilu‑Abo, Ayede‑Akure, Iloro Camp and Ogbese, areas known for past incidents of abduction and forest‑based criminal operations.
The remainder of the arrests — 83 suspects — relate to a range of alleged criminal activities. These include breaches of law and order, anti‑grazing violations, theft, burglary, illegal mining and other offences that undermine public safety and security. Some of those charged were found concealed inside a trailer truck carrying beans, intercepted as part of the security sweep; authorities reported that 61 suspects were detained from the trailer and are undergoing profiling and further investigation.
Adeleye, speaking to reporters in Akure, emphasised that the arrests reflect collaboration among multiple security stakeholders working to disrupt criminal networks in the state. He said the combined efforts are aimed at addressing long‑standing security challenges, particularly along forest corridors and border communities that have been used by kidnappers and other criminal elements.
“Today, a total of 95 suspected criminals are on the ground,” Adeleye stated, reaffirming that the corps would continue to work with partner agencies to enhance safety and stability across Ondo State. He pointed out that a significant number of those held are still being processed as part of ongoing intelligence assessments to determine their exact roles and the charges they will face.
Beyond kidnapping, some of the suspects are accused of violating local laws, including anti‑grazing regulations and general breaches of public order. The law enforcement operation is part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks, improve intelligence gathering and bolster law enforcement effectiveness in rural and urban communities alike.
State authorities have not yet released public details on how many of the 95 suspects have been formally charged in court, but Amotekun and its partner agencies have reiterated that those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law. Commanders also reiterated their warning to would‑be criminals that Ondo State is not a “safe haven” and that law enforcement agencies remain committed to protecting lives and property.
Crime analysts and local residents have described the arrests as a significant operational response to recent trends in kidnapping and violent crime in the South‑West, where community‑based security initiatives like Amotekun have increasingly taken a frontline role in complementing federal security efforts.
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