The Ondo State Amotekun Corps has arrested fake madmen linked to kidnapping and robbery activities in the state.
The Commander of the Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, made the disclosure while parading suspects in Akure on Friday.
Adeleye disclosed that the Corps had uncovered a new tactic adopted by criminals pretending to be mentally unstable but serving as direct agents for kidnapping and robbery syndicates in the state.
He explained that the fake madmen were among 98 suspected criminals arrested by the corps in the state.
The Corps commander disclosed that the fake lunatics were involved in drug trafficking, intelligence gathering for kidnappers, robbery, and other criminal activities.
“Our intelligence and plainclothes officers monitored and tracked them(madmen) to places where they charged their phones, changed clothes, and coordinated operations before they were arrested,” Adeleye disclosed.
He said some of the suspects were arrested during anti-kidnapping operations carried out in different parts of the state, while others were apprehended for robbery, drug peddling, and acts capable of disrupting public peace.
The Amotekun commander revealed that some of the suspects were arrested either at kidnapping scenes or while attempting to carry out abductions.
Adeleye narrated how the operatives rescued a kidnapped couple in Iluwabu community without the payment of ransom.
He explained that the agency’s rapid response team immediately moved into the forest after receiving distress information, leading to the rescue of the female victim, while an overnight operation eventually secured the release of her husband.
“We reunited the family without any ransom payment or negotiation,” he stated.
The Amotekun commander attributed the recent rise in kidnapping and other criminal activities to pressure mounted on criminal elements fleeing northern parts of the country.
He assured residents that Ondo State is safe, noting that Amotekun, alongside other security agencies, has intensified joint operations across forests.
“Our forests are no longer safe havens for criminals. Security agencies are working together to ensure the protection of lives and property,” Adeleye said.
He urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring that such information would be treated with strict confidentiality.
