Adetunji Adeleye, the Amotekun Corps’ commander in Ondo State, has shared details on how the Corps captured at least 61 alleged terrorists in the state following the US airstrikes in Sokoto.
In an interview with Channels Television today, Adeleye stated that 39 men were among the 61 suspected offenders who were taken into custody in a remote location between Ifon and Akure.
Some of the criminals, according to Adeleye, were from Kano and Sokoto, where the US military conducted airstrikes on militants last week.
Amotekun paraded 61 alleged offenders, including 39 men, who had been taken into custody in the Elegbeka woodland, a shadowy area between Ifon and Akure. We have started profiling the other suspects that were paraded as well.
“We will take the necessary actions in coordination with other pertinent security agencies as soon as it is finished,” he declared.
The commander claims that preliminary investigations show that the suspects met in Elegbeka in Ose, Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State, after traveling in two vehicles from Sokoto State, with some also arriving from Kano. According to reports, they planned to live in the forest.
He added that Amotekun has border patrols, a 24/7 increased patrol, control posts at key spots, and armored rangers stationed in the forest.
These actions, he continued, make it simpler to identify instances of unauthorized occupancy of local forest reserves.
During one of these operations, we were able to apprehend 39 of them after acting on reliable information. After that, we took them back to headquarters for in-depth profiling, according to Adeleye.
The commander pointed out that he has emphasized repeatedly over the past five years that Amotekun is still a significant way to combat insecurity at the grassroots level.
He emphasized, “This is because Amotekun offers a homegrown solution to domestic or local problems, that is, insecurity in our domain.”
Considering it from both traditional and unconventional perspectives, he added, “You will discover that Amotekun always finds it easy to identify criminals among the locals because the majority of recruits are from the area.” As a result, it is quite simple to recognize strangers when they enter.
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