Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, has apprehended a man suspected of disguising as a mentally unstable person while allegedly working as an informant for kidnappers and armed robbers operating across the state. The arrest was announced on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Commander of the Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, during a parade of suspects at the agency’s headquarters in Akure. The fake madman was among 98 suspected criminals arrested in a coordinated operation, many of whom were linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes.
Adeleye disclosed that operatives of the corps had uncovered a new tactic adopted by criminal syndicates, wherein suspects disguise themselves as mentally unstable individuals to evade suspicion while carrying out illegal activities. According to the commander, the fake lunatics were involved in drug trafficking, intelligence gathering for kidnappers, and robbery, among other crimes. “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. The commander noted that 10 of the suspects were arrested at kidnapping scenes while attempting to carry out abductions, while others were apprehended for robbery, drug peddling, and acts capable of disrupting public peace.
Of the 98 suspects arrested, 60 are currently facing prosecution in courts of competent jurisdiction, while 38 cases were resolved through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism. Adeleye added that 13 other suspects are undergoing investigation and interrogation ahead of prosecution. The commander also revealed that Amotekun operatives rescued a kidnapped couple in the Ilu-Abo community without the payment of any ransom. He explained that the agency’s rapid response team moved into the forest immediately after receiving distress information, leading to the rescue of the female victim, while an overnight operation eventually secured the release of her husband. “We reunited the family without any ransom payment or negotiation,” he stated.
Adeleye attributed the recent rise in kidnapping and other criminal activities to pressure mounted on criminal elements fleeing from the northern parts of the country. He assured residents that Ondo State remains safe, noting that Amotekun, alongside the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies, had intensified joint operations across forest areas. “Our forests are no longer safe havens for criminals. Security agencies are working together to ensure the protection of lives and property,” Adeleye said. He urged residents to continue providing actionable intelligence to security agencies, assuring them that all information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The arrest of the fake madman and the 97 other suspects marks a significant breakthrough for the Amotekun Corps, which has been at the forefront of efforts to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, and other violent crimes in Ondo State. The corps, established in 2020 as part of the South‑West Security Network, has since evolved into a formidable security outfit, working in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies to protect lives and property across the state. However, the corps has also faced criticism over allegations of brutality and extra‑judicial killings, which it has consistently denied. The latest operation underscores the growing sophistication of criminal networks in the region and the need for sustained intelligence-led policing.
As of the time of this report, the identity of the fake madman and the specific details of the crimes he allegedly participated in have not been disclosed by the corps. However, the arrest serves as a stark reminder that criminal elements are constantly devising new methods to evade detection. The Amotekun Corps has vowed to remain vigilant and continue its crackdown on all forms of criminality across Ondo State. The 60 suspects currently facing prosecution will appear in court in the coming weeks, while investigations into the remaining 13 suspects are ongoing.
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