The Ondo State Security Network Agency; otherwise known as Amotekun Corps; in collaboration with conventional security agencies, local hunters, vigilantes, and the Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), have arrested some persons suspected to have killed a first-class traditional ruler in Ondo State, the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Isreal Adeusi.
The monarch was shot and killed last Thursday by unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers near Elegbeka village on a trip from Akure, the state capital where he held a meeting with some other monarchs in the state.
The outfit said no fewer than 15 suspects have been arrested also in connection with various criminal activities in the state.
The State Commander, Amotekun Corps,
Chief Adetunji Adeleye, during a media briefing on Wednesday disclosed that the arrest was made in the ongoing ‘Operation Clean Up’ put in place by the Corps.
According to him, ‘Operation Clean Up’ was designed to take the war against criminal activities to the hideouts of criminals across the State.
Adeleye revealed that some people have been arrested in connection with the killings and kidnapping at Elegbeka axis on Ifon road, while four kidnap victims were equally rescued from their abductors during the operation.
The Commander noted that the suspects are currently undergoing various levels of interrogation.
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He disclosed that Operation Clean Up would continue for the next 30 days in the state during which all hideouts of criminals would have been combed across the state including the forest reserves where criminal they are hiding.
Adeleye said Amotekun Corps has changed its tactics to reduce crimes and sustain relative peace in the state, adding that the Corps in collaboration with other conventional security agencies would continue to take the war to the criminals in their hideouts.
He assured that the Corps in collaboration with the conventional security agencies and other stakeholders will work together to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the citizens before, during and after the Yuletide.
The Commander who explained that in the past few weeks Ondo State had witnessed increase in criminal activities especially robbery, kidnapping, house breaking among other notorious acts, however, added that men of the Amotekun Corps in collaboration with other security agencies have been able to pull out numerous measures that stemmed down and reduced criminal activities in the State.
He also attributed the drop in criminal activities to a number of factors which included the decision of the State Government to ban the night use of Okada from 6pm.
Adeleye noted that so many criminals’ hideouts and other areas where they hibernate were raided between the hours of 10pm and 4am in the ongoing Operation Clean Up and some were arrested either in the act of committing criminal acts or where they reside.
He said all the suspects would be investigated and be handed over to the conventional security agencies for prosecution.
