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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, has arrested 39 suspected terrorists believed to have fled Sokoto State following the Christmas Day airstrikes carried out by the United States military in Nigeria’s North-West.
The suspects were among about 100 alleged criminals paraded across the state by the Amotekun commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, who said the 39 individuals claimed they escaped from Sokoto after security pressure intensified in the region.
According to Adeleye, the suspects relocated from the northern part of the country and took refuge in forests within Ondo State.
“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,” Adeleye said.
He noted that investigations are still ongoing. “We are still profiling them, and after the profiling, we may have to send them back, but those found with incriminating equipment and materials will surely be prosecuted,” he added.
The Amotekun commander stressed that the state government has clear rules governing forest settlements. “The government has made its position known. For you to stay in our forest areas, you must obtain permits,” he said.
Adeleye explained that the sudden influx of the suspects raised serious security concerns. “So, the sudden influx of this element poses a lot of questions that we are still working on. I have them equally arraigned,” he stated.
He also disclosed that improved collaboration among regional security formations has yielded results. “The synergy between the border patrols of Ekiti/Ondo, Osun/Ondo, Ogun/Ondo have yielded tremendous results such that we have some suspects not paraded today because we’ve not completed investigations, that we had to go to Ogun State to bring them back,” Adeleye said.
On other arrests, the commander revealed that about 100 suspects were apprehended in total, with 61 paraded. “Fifty of them engaged in breaking of law and order, two on anti-open grazing, six on kidnapping-related cases, and three on abuse of gender and rape,” he added.