Ondo State security outfit codenamed Amotekun has arrested 39 suspected terrorists fleeing Sokoto State, after the Christmas Day airstrikes carried out by the United States military in the North West.
Parading 100 suspected criminals arrested across the state, the State Commander of the security outfit, Chief Adetunji Adeleye said the 39 suspected bandits claimed they fled from Sokoto State.
Adeleye said after escaping from the northern part of the country, they relocated to forests in the state.
“A couple of days ago, 39 suspects were arrested, all together, claiming that as a result of the heat turned on them in the northern part of the country, they are relocating into the forest.
“We are still profiling them and after that, we may have to send them back, but those found with incriminating equipment and materials will surely be prosecuted.
“Government has made its position known. For you to stay in our forest areas, you must obtain permit.
“So, the sudden influx of these elements poses a lot of questions that we are still working on. I have them equally arraigned,” Adeleye said.
The commander added that the synergy between the border patrols of Ekiti/Ondo, Osun/Ondo and Ogun/Ondo had yielded tremendous results such that we have some suspects not paraded today because we have not completed investigations, we had to go to Ogun State to bring them back.
Speaking on other suspects paraded, the commander said “we arrested about 100 suspects, out of which 61 are on parade today. 50 of them engaged in breaking of law and order, two on anti-open grazing, six on kidnapping-related cases and three on abuse of gender and rape.”
He said the age bracket of the suspects ranged between 18 and 45.
On alleged rape, Adeleye said three suspects, including 19 year-old Daniel Ojo, 33-year-old Usman and one Bejide, 41, were arrested in Isinkan area of Akure, the state capital.
Adeleye appreciated Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa “for giving us an enabling environment to thrive.
“We thank all security agencies in the state, the police, civil defense, army, DSS, vigilantes and the public generally for the support we received from them.”
