The Ondo State Amotekun Corps says it has arrested 39 suspected bandits relocating from the Northern part of the country into forest reserves in the state following the deadly airstrikes carried out by the United States on Christmas Day in Sokoto.
The State Commander of Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, who made the disclosure on Tuesday in Akure, said the suspects were arrested at Elegbeka forest in Owere, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.
US President Donald Trump announced on Christmas Day that the American military conducted deadly airstrikes on terrorists in North-West, Nigeria.
The Federal Government confirmed the operation, describing it as part of ongoing counterterrorism cooperation.
Thefrontrank gathered that following the strikes, armed groups are fleeing their hideouts to other parts of the country.
Adeleye explained that the Corps was still profiling the 39 suspected bandits for possible prosecution.
“You will recall that there is this black spot where so many criminal activities, including armed robbery and kidnapping, had been taking place, which is Elegbeka Axis (Ose LGA).
“As a result of the criminal activities around there, Amotekun Corps has a Control Post domiciled in the forest of Elegbeka.
“A couple of days ago, 39 suspects were arrested, all together, claiming that as a result of the heat turned on them in the northern part of the country, they are relocating into the forest.
“We are still profiling them, and after the profiling, we may have to send them back, but those found with incriminating weapons and materials will surely be prosecuted,” he said.
The Amotekun Commander urged people going into the state forest reserves to get government’s permit.
“The government has made its position known. For you to stay in our forest areas, you must obtain permits. So, the sudden influx of this element poses a lot of questions that we are still working on.
“Across the 18 local governments of the state. We arrested about 100 suspects, out of which 61 are on parade today, 50 of them engaged in breaking of law and order, 2 on anti-open grazing , 6 on kidnapping related cases, and 3 on abuse of gender and rape.
“I look at this as a concerted effort by the Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, to rid Ondo State of criminal elements.
“We equally want to thank His Excellency, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa for giving us an enabling environment to thrive. We thank all other security agencies in the state, the police, the civil defence, the Army, the DSS, the vigilantes, and the public generally for the support we received from them,” Adeleye said.
