The Ondo State Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun has arrested no fewer than 600 suspected criminals in two weeks during the just concluded Christmas and New Year celebrations period.

The state Commander of the Amotekun corps , Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, who disclosed this in Akure said the suspects were arrested for their involvement in various criminal activities in the state during the festive season and the ‘Operation Clean Up Phase 7’ embarked upon by the command in December 2021.

Adeleye, who also disclosed that over 500 vehicles were also impounded, stated that some of the suspects had been charged to court.

He said:

We assured the people of Ondo State hitch free Christmas and New Year festivities and to the glory of God, throughout the period there were no criminal activities but in one or two instances where we had security breaches, the criminals were all arrested and brought to book.

In the last one month, for only two weeks, the ban on unregistered vehicles and vehicles without permit and the abuse on the provision of the restriction on the use of motor cycles (okada) in the night brought to a standstill 80 per cent criminal activities in Ondo State.

Initially, people were not too happy until they realised that it was for their good. Again, within the first 15 days of manning all major junctions and entry points of the state capital and all local government headquarters, we were able to arrest over 550 vehicles. We were able to arrest over 600 suspects.

Out of this number screened and brought about 45 of them to book and charged them to court. We found out that the criminal activities in the main towns went down completely and people travelling started having problems. That was why we moved to the border patrols and you will recall that within 48 hours of commencement of border patrol, we were confronted by kidnappers and armed robbers. Seventeen victims were rescued in two separate operations,” he said.
Adeleye , however, noted that the ‘operation clean up phase 7’ which was planned to end by January 2, 2022 had not ended following the current state of insecurity in the state.

Initially we wanted to end the ‘operation clean up phase 7’ on January 2 but we have no choice than to extend it a little bit, considering the security situation. But later we will review the entire security operation with sister security agencies,

Adeleye stated.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.