The Ondo State Security Network, codenamed ‘ Amotekun’, has arrested a suspected male kidnapper; Igbekele Abiodun; who disguised as a female to perpetrate his kidnapping of four women and a five month old baby in a church at the Edo Lodge area of the state capital during church service, alongside his syndicate; has been nabbed.
The arrest was made by operatives of the command as part of security exercise dubbed “Operation Clean-Up”, which is targeted at checkmating nefarious activities of criminals especially during this Yuletide season in Ondo State,
The State Commander of the Amotekun Corps; Akogun Adetunji Adeleye; made this revelation on Thursday while parading the suspect at the Command’s headquarters in Akure, alongside 21 other criminals who were arrested for various other crimes ranging from kidnapping, stealing, car robberies, phone snatching and selling of Indian hemp.
Adeleye stated that Igbekele Abiodun was arrested one hour after he invaded the church with members of his gang on Wednesday evening.
“On receiving a distress call around 11:15 pm, the Amotekun officials trailed the kidnappers to a forest along Ado-Ekiti Road and successfully rescued the victims including the baby.”
Adeleye explained that the victims, among who was a 78-year-old woman, and who is the founder of the church, disclosed that it was Igbekele who first entered the church asking all the worshippers to lie down before his gang entered. He also said that one of the victims confirmed that she was stripped and her gown worn by the suspect.
The Commander assured that other members of the gang, especially the ring leaders, would be apprehended as his men were already on their trail.
Another syndicate arrested specialised in snatching smart phones on motorbikes at night.
Adeleye revealed that the syndicate had buyers of the stolen phones who pay them on delivery.
He explained that his officers were able to arrest them at Oke-Ogba/Agagu Road axis while operating.
“We tracked six members of the syndicate and arrested them. They already have customers. I-phone 12 was sold for N100, 000.
“We arrested some of the buyers who have huge number of stolen phones in stock,” the commander said.
Following the ban on use of unpermitted tinted glass, unregistered vehicles and restriction of motorbikes from 6am to 6pm, no fewer than 350 motorcycles and vehicles have been impounded by Amotekun so far within this first phase of the Operation Clean-Up.
The Amotekun Commander said the operation, which is being carried out in collaboration with officials of NSCDC and Police, would last till January 2022.
Two other suspects who were transporting cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) were also apprehended by the Corps.
Adeleye said the suspects would be handed over to National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
