AMOTEKUN RESCUES KIDNAPPED VICTIMS, PARADES 14 SUSPECTS IN ONDO
Commandant Adeleye: “No Hiding Place for Criminals in Ondo State”
AKURE – The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, has recorded another major breakthrough with the rescue of kidnapped victims without payment of ransom and the arrest of 14 suspects involved in kidnapping, cattle rustling, vandalism, and theft across the state.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, 10th August, the State Commandant of Amotekun, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, welcomed distinguished guests, members of the press, officers of the agency, and management to the event.
Adeleye disclosed that a couple of days ago, Amotekun received a distress call over a kidnapping incident in Oke-Igbo. The agency’s Special Squad immediately swung into action and, in collaboration with sister security agencies, especially the Department of State Services, commenced a joint tracking operation.
“About 72 hours after, His Excellency, the Governor called me personally and directed that the victims must be rescued at all cost,” Adeleye said.
He announced with gratitude that the operation was successful several kilometers away from the scene of the crime. Two victims abducted in Oke-Igbo were secured. “We were able to rescue the man alive, but unfortunately, by the time we got there, the lady had been killed,” he added.
The Commandant said the rescue sends a strong signal that “there is no hiding place for criminals in Ondo State.”
He recalled that about a week ago, Amotekun also secured the release of two boys kidnapped by herdsmen who rustled cattle in Owo Local Government Area, again without ransom payment. One of the kidnappers has been tracked to Oyo State, and arrangements are ongoing with sister agencies to bring the suspect to face the law.
In another decisive operation, Amotekun uncovered a syndicate specializing in kidnapping and rustling cattle from Fulani herdsmen in Ore, Ode-Aye, Ofosu, and Omotosho in Odigbo Local Government Area.
“The main culprits who, in collaboration with others at large, stole cows in three different locations are already in our custody. We also arrested those who bought the stolen cows from them,” Adeleye stated.
The Commandant paraded suspects arrested for various offenses. They include Akintimi and Akinlemu for cow rustling and illegal possession; Jamiu, 30, who specializes in vandalizing houses under construction by removing electrical cables and plumbing fittings; Olajide, who steals iron rods under the guise of a scrap picker; and Olomi Dada, who allegedly stole iron rods installed at the Odigbo Palace entrance for Kabiyesi. Also paraded were Ojo, 25, and Opeyemi, 29, arrested in Ore with a motorcycle stolen in Akure.
He also confirmed the rescue of two men last night in the Alagada axis who were being kidnapped.
The Executive Chairman of Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area, Hon. Adeboye Adedare commended the efforts of the security agencies for their prompt response to the distress call. He particularly appreciated the Amotekun corps under the leadership of Chief Adetunji Adeleye. He said he believed in the ability of Amotekun in collaboration with sister security agencies and kept on telling the families of the kidnapped victims not to pay any ransom and at the end of the day, they were rescued without ransom payment.
According to the crime records presented, Ondo State recorded 9 suspects for law and order offenses and 5 for kidnapping and cattle rustling within the period.
“Today, the victims that were rescued are also here with us,” Adeleye said, introducing Lawal Abdul Hammed from Okene, one of the rescued victims.
Concluding, the Commandant assured residents that Ondo State is safe and open for investors. “Our people can go about their normal duties without fear. Our border patrol is still very effective and our Amotekun Rangers are domiciled in the forests and across the metropolis,” he said.
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