The Amotekun Corps, also known as the Ondo State Security Network Agency, successfully apprehended 24 individuals involved in various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.
In a recent operation, the corps also rescued a student, Bisola Olisa, who had been abducted by bandits.
Adetunji Adeleye, the state Commander of the Amotekun Corps, announced the arrests and the rescue on Wednesday. He detailed that the suspects were involved in crimes such as motorcycle theft, conspiracy, cable theft, illegal migration, and malicious damage, among others. The operation was carried out in cooperation with other security agencies in the state.
“We arrested and paraded 24 suspects. We are pleased to report that the security situation in the state is very stable. Law and order are being maintained, political activities continue without disruption, and the anti-open grazing law is being enforced,” Adeleye stated.
He further noted that incidents of human trafficking, cultism, and militancy have significantly decreased, with kidnapping activities mainly confined to border areas. The commander assured that these issues are being actively addressed.
The kidnap case involving Bisola Olisa, a 32-year-old student, occurred along the Ikare-Ado Ekiti Expressway. Adeleye explained that Olisa was abducted with three other individuals in the Supare area of Akoko South-West Local Government Area.
A combined team of Amotekun and other security agents managed to rescue her, while two of the kidnappers were arrested.
“Regarding the recent kidnapping case in Supare, which recorded one fatality and four victims being taken into the bush, the corps responded immediately in collaboration with other security agencies. We apprehended two suspects, one of whom is here and we are confident that we will secure the release of the remaining victims,” Adeleye added.
The suspects will be profiled, and those requiring court trials will be prosecuted. The corps is committed to ensuring justice for the victims and rightful owners of the stolen items.
Olisa recounted her harrowing experience, saying, “I was coming from Ikare, heading to Ekiti. On getting to Akungba, I boarded a vehicle from the garage; there were seven of us in the vehicle. At a certain spot, we started hearing gunshots from the bandits. So, they stopped us immediately. A passenger beside me was shot dead, and they marched us into the bush. Some passengers were injured.”
She described how the kidnappers led them into the bush, where they trekked throughout the night. “The kidnappers were many on the road, but as we moved into the bush, four of them led us, all carrying guns. We trekked throughout the night until the next morning when we reached a mountain where we sat down. They asked us to lie down, and the three of us obeyed for about 30 minutes. I realized they were no longer talking. I peeped to check if they were sleeping but saw only one of them; the other gang members were gone.
“I told them that I needed to defecate, that was how I escaped. On reaching the main road, I saw the Amotekun Corps, and they rescued me and took me to their station. “
