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Tag: Amotekun

  • How Amotekun combed Oyo forest, recovered AK-47 rifles

    How Amotekun combed Oyo forest, recovered AK-47 rifles

    The Oyo State wing of the Southwest Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps has recovered AK-47 rifles, military camouflage and other items hidden in a forest in the state by suspected kidnappers.

    Commandant of the corps in Oyo State, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.), told newsmen in Ibadan, on Monday, that the corps recovered four AK-47 rifles, four magazines and 50 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.

    Also recovered were wraps of Indian hemp, raincoats, two Nigerian Army caps and a beret.

    He said the items were recovered while operatives of the corps were combing forests following rising cases of kidnap on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    “Last weekend, efforts of our men were rewarded when the arms and ammunition were found in one of the forests following a tip-off that some gunmen sighted in the area.

    “The security network’s agents are still present in the forest to possibly apprehend the criminal elements,’’ he said.

    In his remarks, Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, former Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said the governor had directed security personnel in the state to take proactive steps to stop abductions in the state.

    Owoseni said collaboration with local hunters and vigilantes assisted greatly in recent successes recorded by the Amotekun corps in the state.

    He assured that the state government would provide the equipment needed for the smooth operation of the corps to enhance their performance. 

  • Gov Akeredolu Slams FG For Granting Katsina Security Right To Bear AK-47 But Denies Amotekun

    Gov Akeredolu Slams FG For Granting Katsina Security Right To Bear AK-47 But Denies Amotekun

    Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has accused the Federal Government of granting a security outfit in Katsina State right to bear arms whilst same privilege has not been granted to Amotekun Corps.

    In a statement on Thursday, Akeredolu referred to a video on social media wherein the security outfit in Katsina was empowered to carry AK-47 to tackle internal security challenges.

    He accused the Federal Government of double standards, saying allowing the Katsina State security outfit to bear arms and denying the Amotekun of same rights means “we are pursuing one country, two systems.”

    Akeredolu, who is the chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, said that equity and justice are required in the Federal Government’s relationship with all the component units.

    He insisted that Ondo State will defend its people, stating that the denial of the right of Amotekun to bear arms to protect the people of the state violated the tenets of federalism.

    “The video making the rounds showing the equivalent of the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps) in Katsina, obtaining the approval of the Federal Government to bear arms is fraught with great dangers,” the statement read.

    “Denying Amotekun the urgently needed rights to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism, which we have been clamouring for.

    “That Katsina was able to arm its state security force with the display of AK47 means we are pursuing one country, two systems solution to the national question.

    “If the Katsina situation confers advantages on some, in the face of commonly faced existential threats, it means that our unitary policing system, which has failed, is a deliberate method of subjugation which must be challenged.”

    “The Independence agreement was based on a democratic arrangement to have a federal state and devolved internal security mechanics.

    “We must go back to that agreement. Denying Amotekun the right to bear arms exposes the Southwest to life-threatening marauders and organized crime. It is also deliberate destruction of our agricultural sector. It is an existential threat.

    “We want to reiterate that what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander. The Ondo State government under the doctrine of necessity has decided to fulfill its legal, constitutional and moral duty to the citizens of the state, by acquiring arms to protect them. This is more so, given that the bandits have unchecked access to sophisticated weapons.

    “The state government cannot look on while its citizens are being terrorized and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people.”

  • Amotekun Arrests 45 Suspected Kidnappers, Rapists, Armed Robbers in Ondo

    Amotekun Arrests 45 Suspected Kidnappers, Rapists, Armed Robbers in Ondo

    The Ondo State Security Network known as Amotekun, has arrested 45 suspected criminals for various offences in the state.

    The Amotekun Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 21, in Akure while parading the suspects before journalists.

    According to him, the suspects were involved in various criminal offences which include kidnapping, armed robbery, stealing, snatching of motorbikes, rape among others.

    Adeleye also said in its efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property of residents, the corps had begun a 24-hour patrol in the Northern Senatorial District of the state and other parts.

    “As we speak now, we have put measures in place to ensure that our roads are safe from the hands of criminals, our patrol vehicles are moving round for 24 hours,” he said.

    “We want to reassure the good people of Ondo State to go about their normal duties. Again, the enforcement of the ban on the use of ‘Okada’ in the night was also one of the major things responsible for the downward trend of criminal activities in the state generally.”

    “Today is another major harvest of criminals operating within the Ondo State; a couple of weeks ago, we deployed additional hands to all the 18 local government areas to assist in beefing up the security architecture and it has actually yielded a lot of results.

    “Within the last two weeks, we have 45 criminals that we have concluded their investigations and they are ready to go for prosecution,” he said.

    Mr Adeleye said there was a case of Okoye Chukwuma, who specialised in burgling cocoa stores.

    “We also have one Philip Jacob who specialised in vandalising vehicles parked in mechanic workshops overnight.”

    He said that in Ore, a family was kidnapped and his men moved there immediately and were able to arrest the kidnappers and release the victims.

    “We also have those that are regular in house breaking in the midnight, they have the ways of opening doors and silently entering to molest innocent people and dispossess them of their valuables.

    “The trend of crimes in Ondo state is now seriously coming down, as far as we are concerned. We are impressed by the safety of lives and property of citizens in the state.

    ”If you look at the Akure Metropolis, all major junctions are manned by the security operatives and we are trying more to patrol within all 18 local government areas of the state,” he added.

  • Insecurity: Akeredolu urges FG to allow Amotekun bear arms

    Insecurity: Akeredolu urges FG to allow Amotekun bear arms

    The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has urged the Federal Government to allow Amotekun Corps to carry sophisticated weapons in order to protect the people.

    Speaking on his recent position on the oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to private individuals and organisations, Akeredolu explained that his position was to allow Amotekun bear sophisticated arms like the non-state actors who were engaged to protect the oil pipelines.

    The governor stated this on Wednesday at the inauguration of the newly reconstructed office complex on the premises of the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission in Oba-Ile, in the Akure North Local Government Area of the state.

    Decrying the precarious security situation in the country, Akeredolu vowed that he would continue to take the bull by the horn in protecting  the people of the state.

    He said: “Most of the people and even some of my colleagues didn’t really understand my position on the oil pipeline surveillance contract. I have no issue with the Federal Government awarding surveillance contract to anybody. It is Federal Government’s money. They can use it anyhow they want.

    “Here, we are spending our money on Amotekun. And what I said in my statement titled ‘Who actually needs weapon’ was that the Federal Government should allow Amotekun carry sophisticated weapons like those whom they awarded pipelines surveillance contract.

    “If you can allow individuals to carry heavy arms to protect pipelines, why won’t you allow Amotekun to carry sophisticated weapons to protect the people. The oil facilities are not more important than the lives of the people,” he said.

    Governor Akeredolu, who disclosed that some arrests had been made in connection to the abduction of some burial guests in Ifon on Saturday, said the victims who had been released were scared to come and identify their abductors.

    He lauded all the security agencies in the state, including Amotekun, for the great work they did in securing the victims’ release.

  • How Amotekun Intercepts Over 160 Suspected Invaders In Ondo State

    How Amotekun Intercepts Over 160 Suspected Invaders In Ondo State

    The men of the Ondo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun, have intercepted another 168 suspected invaders with dangerous charms in two trucks.

    This came barely three days after the corps arrested 151 suspected invaders with dangerous charms concealed inside bags of rice in Sango area, along Akure-Ado Expressway.

    Speaking on the development on Monday, the Commander of Ondo Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, said the 168 suspected invaders were intercepted around Itaogbolu and Iju communities in Akure North Local Government Area of the state by his men, who were on ‘stop and search’ operation.

    According to the commander, they (the suspects) were coming from Kano and Jigawa states without any clear mission in Ondo State.

    He said, “After the profiling of the earlier ones, we saw majority of them that did not have any case to answer off to where they came from but we found out that the influx of invaders still continued.

    “On Sunday, our stop and search team saw these two trucks. They told them that they were on their way to Ondo State with cows after careful examination, we found out that they carefully concealed about 40 motorcycles with 168 people lying down beneath the motorcycles.

    “The upper floor has cows, the middle has motorcycles wrapped and dismantled and on the lower floor, we have 168 people lying down, such that if you are not careful, you won’t observe it. So, we questioned where they were going and why they packed themselves and why they were avoiding people and they said they were coming to Ondo State. Upon interrogation none of them have address of where they are going, nobody invited them and we are becoming curious about these invasions. I called it invasion because you see over 100 able-bodied men concealing themselves under animals, it shows they are up to negative motives.”

    The commander noted that after investigation and profiling, if the corps didn’t find anything incriminating on them and if nobody was ready to take custody of them in the state, the corps would send them back to their various states.

    “We have commenced profiling but we want to warn citizens of the state to be wary of strangers because nobody knows how many of such invaders had managed to enter the state. We saw these ones with charms which we are yet to ascertain what their mission.

    “Those who own the motorcycles confessed that none of the bikes had papers and of course, they photocopied some papers but you can see one engine number in 30 motorcycles which clearly shows that they were forged documents. We will find out how they got the motorcycles and also find out their mission in the state. If they don’t have any credible thing to do in the state, we will send them back,” he declared.

  • Amotekun Arrests Suspected Masterminds of Owo Massacre

    Amotekun Arrests Suspected Masterminds of Owo Massacre

    The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed “Amotekun Corps” has confirmed that some suspects have been arrested in connection with the terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

    The suspected terrorist invaded the church on June 5, killing no fewer than 40 people and injuring many other worshippers.

    The state Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, on Thursday said some suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing.

    He stated this while parading some 71 men who were arrested for various criminal activities across the state.

    He, however, did not give the actual figure of the suspected terrorists arrested but expressed assurance that all the attackers of the worship center would be apprehended.

    The Amotekun boss said, “As regards the Owo incident, we have recovered the last vehicle they used for that operation and we made some arrests and we have also recovered some vital things which we are working on.

    “A number of people have been arrested concerning the Owo issue as well as well number of equipment. On that day, we pursued them to the point that we recovered the vehicle and we are still pursuing them We have told you that until we get to the root, I can assure you that the perpetrators and their sponsors will be brought to book.”

    On the 71 suspected criminals paraded at the headquarters of the command in Akure, the state capital, Adeleye explained that the suspects were arrested within the last one month for various offenses ranging from armed robbery, cattle rustling, kidnapping, raping, fraud and human trafficking.

    “The 71 suspects were picked while committing offenses and others were tracked to their hideouts in the forests. We have been able to get a cartel that specialises in stealing and dismantling motorbikes which we all know as okada. Also, we were able to recover over 50 bikes during the operation from these criminals.

    “We also got reports from some herdsmen that their cattle were stolen. We went after them and brought the cows back to the Fulani herdsmen that owned the cow. We have a group of small boys who are under 18-year old that turned themselves into a cartel of criminals in a particular local government in Ondo State and armed themselves. They actually belong to a cult group called ‘Agbado’. We were able to arrest 12 out of the 17 members.

    “We have about three to four suspected kidnappers and we intend to take most of these suspects, especially the ones we have concluded their investigations to the DPP and for their onward prosecution in court.”

    He assured the people of the state that the corps would not rest on its oars until it rids the state of criminal elements, saying, “there is no hiding place for them. They turned the heat on us and we have also turned the heat on them.”

  • Amotekun commander, three others killed in fresh Igangan attack

    Amotekun commander, three others killed in fresh Igangan attack

    Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen again struck late Friday night in Igangan, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo state killing four residents.

    The attack was however repelled by the swift response of local security operatives.

    The Commander of Amotekun Corps in Ibarapa Central simply identified as Muri was among the victims of the attack.

    The attackers were said to have stormed the town in two Hilux vans, an 18-seater Hummer bus, and a Toyota Sienna bus wearing military and customs camouflage.

    It could not be confirmed at press time if the attackers were real security operatives as sources said the residents initially lowered their guards thinking the men were customs operatives in search of suspected smugglers.

    It was gathered that the suspected gunmen arrived in the community around 7 pm on Friday and attacked some areas.

    A resident said the attackers stormed the community in large number but could not give actual figure.

    The convener Igangan development advocate, Oladiran Oladokun confirmed the attack saying the incident was an attempt to invade the state through the axis, a border community but was resisted by the local security operatives.

    Oladokun said although, the suspected herders came in customs and military camouflage to deceive the people and change the narrative that it was security operatives who stormed the town in search of those who engage in smuggling activities, a practice that is alien to the people of the community.

    He expressed disappointment over inadequate security despite the recurrence of the attacks.

    A community leader, who spoke in confidence said: “Report reaching me now reveals that around 8:00 pm people suspected to be herdsmen again invaded Igangan and shoot sporadically for over 30minutes. Some said they were Customs men as they wore Custom uniform but they were chased by local hunters after killing some people.

    “They also passed Igboora and continue shooting and it was reported people died in Igboora too including one Amotekun operative.

    “It was reported that the Commander of Amotekun in Ibarapa Central has been killed.”

    Contacted, an Amotekun operative in Igangan who craved anonymity explained that the quick intervention of the local security operatives forced the assailants to retreat but not without killing some residents as they escaped through Abeokuta axis.

    He said: “It is true. Around past 7 pm, we started hearing a noise around town that attackers have come again, and we quickly rushed out. They were shooting sporadically and heavily around AUD Quarters on their way to the town.

    “By the turning to Jabele hotel, they killed a man there. When they saw that we were coming after them there, they turned back and headed towards Tapa. When they got to Tapa, they killed another person.

    “When they got to Ayete, they killed one person, when they got to Igboora, they killed the Commander of Amotekun in Ibarapa Central named Muri.

    “They wore customs and military uniform as camouflage. They wore a fake uniform. In fact, they passed in front of Operation Burst operatives in Ofiki and those ones didn’t know they were assailants on a deadly mission.

    “We suspected them to be herdsmen with the way they operated and shot randomly while carrying out the attack.

    “They came in two Toyota Hilux vans, one 18-passenger hummer bus and a sienna bus. They wore both military and custom uniforms.

    “I cannot ascertain their numbers because before we got to where they were, as they entered into the town in Igangan, they shot at someone who sat outside of his house at AUD Quarters, that was where everybody took to their heels.

    “It was when we were hearing repeated gunshots that we too quickly organised ourselves to face them and when they knew we were coming after them, they changed direction and faced Tapa.

    “When they got to Tapa, they killed one person, killed another at Ayete and when they got to Ideere, they shot at a soldier and they killed Amotekun Commander in Igboora.

    “We have informed the Police. But Operation Burst operatives are at Ofiki River, they said they taught they were customs and army operatives and that was why they allowed them to gain access into the town but that they didn’t know and they were deceived.

    “We even gathered that they also shot at the customs operatives stationed in the axis too, an indication that the attackers are not genuine security operatives but we are not sure if they also have any casualty.”

    Recall that, only last month, suspected herdsmen invaded the town overnight killing many people in the process.

  • June 12: Amotekun will become state police – Gov Akeredolu

    June 12: Amotekun will become state police – Gov Akeredolu

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said that the State Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps will metamorphose into a state police.

    Akeredolu who said he does not believe in secession stated that the many promises of June 12 have been dashed.

    Akeredolu who spoke in Akure at the 2021 Democracy Day celebration said there was no serious attempt to redesign the security architecture to respond to the demands of a nascent country as at the time of independence.

    He insisted that every federating unit in the country should have its own police for effective security.

    The Ondo Governor declared that local government could not be absolute autonomous and that the Federal Government should have no control, whatsoever, on how a Local Government is run in a State of the Federation.

    “Let every state determine the number of local governments it wishes to have for effective administration. The civil service must respond to the current realities for relevance. Let the extent of wealth creation form the basis of establishing local administrations. It does not make any economic sense to create as many local governments as the politics of revenue sharing will permit.

    “Governors must be Chief Executive Officers answerable only to the people indeed. The law must empower them to harness the resources in their respective States for the benefit of those who voted for them. They must not be subjected to any external control as equal partners in a federation unless when it is absolutely necessary.

    “They must be able to mobilise the people for socio-economic activities with minimal interference from the government at the centre. This will enhance their ability to protect their people from rampaging marauders and other criminals who wreak their peace in perpetuity.

    “The message which produced June 12, 1993 was “Farewell to Poverty ”. Our people looked forward to a better Nigeria where every citizen would be proud. The hope was dashed. We have been trying to rekindle the light of realistic expectations since 1999. The political journey proceeds in fits and starts. The ride has been bumpy, creating doubts and suspicion on the genuineness of intentions.

    “The problems are, however, surmountable if all are sincere in finding lasting solutions to the existential issues confronting us. That should the lesson derivable from the June 12 annulment and the symbolic revalidation.”

    Barr. Femi Aborisade who delivered the Democracy Day lecture insisted that Nigeria was not a broke nation.

  • Igangan attack: South-west Govs orders Amotekun to begin operations

    Igangan attack: South-west Govs orders Amotekun to begin operations

    Governors in the Southwest region have given marching orders to the South West Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps to immediately commence joint operations in the region.

    The Southwest Governors, who encouraged security agencies to get to the roots of the attack in Igangan community in Oyo State, convoked a joint security meeting of all Amotekun Commanders in the region.

    Chairman Southwest Governors Forum Oluwarotimi Akeredolu described the attack on Igangan as horrendous, callous and highly provocative.

    The Ondo Governor said all well-meaning Nigerians must condemn what he described as assault on decency and communal harmony.

    Akeredolu, who spoke in a statement in Akure, reiterated that certain elements were bent on causing friction among Nigerians with the sole aim of achieving a pernicious end.

    According to him: “They will stop at nothing until their set goal is realised. It is, therefore, incumbent on all lovers of peace and freedom to rise against this current regression into savagery.

    “We on our part are resolved to defend our people, their property, and all legitimate means of livelihood against both internal and external aggression. On this, there will be no compromise.

    “We call on our people to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement in their communities. In addition, they must be united in the task of defending our lives and properties. We cannot afford to fail.”

  • Amotekun Arrests Four-Man Kidnap Syndicate In Ondo

    Amotekun Arrests Four-Man Kidnap Syndicate In Ondo

    Officials of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun have arrested a four-man kidnap syndicate in Akure, the state capital.

    The commander of Amotekun in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, while parading the suspects said they were apprehended after kidnapping three persons along Oda road in Akure during a night operation while it was raining.

    According to Adeleye, the suspects initially kidnapped four persons, but one person was able to escape while they took the rest of them to their hideout.

    He said after getting wind of the incident, Amotekun operatives swung into action and rescued two persons that night, and subsequently arrested the suspects during negotiations for ransom.

    Adeleye disclosed that a gun,  cutlass, dagger, and a motorcycle were recovered from the suspects and assured the law-abiding residents of the state of adequate security of their lives and property.

    Usman Garba who led the kidnap syndicate confessed that the victims were beaten while one of them was raped.