The state security corps said the suspects were arrested in various locations across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Parading the suspects at the headquarters of the agency in Akure, the state capital, the state Commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the arrests were parts of the efforts of the corps to ensure the festive period was crime-free
According to him, the corps was able to make the arrests following the assistance of other security agencies in the state.
Adeleye said, “The arrest of these suspected criminals arose from distress calls received, surveillance activities of Amotekun men and all the security agencies in the state, inclusive of the police, the NSCDC, the DSS, and the Nigeria Army, in various joint operations.
“This ember month patrol is strategic as we are determined to guarantee the safety of lives and properties in Ondo State and for those passing through the highways of the state. Across the board, we were able to track down about 15 suspected kidnappers. Some of them with guns…
“But, the eagle-eyed operatives were able to arrest some of them, especially, in the Ala/Dada/Ago Oyinbo axis of Akure North Local Government. We equally have some suspected kidnappers residing in and terrorising the Elegbeka axis (in Ose LGA of the state. We have among them, some armed robbers that were actually caught in the act in Akure metropolis and those that specialises in breaking shops.”
Among the suspects, the commander said, was one Usman Garuba, who was arrested for alleged kidnapping and arson. The suspect, who was an ex-convict, was alleged to have burnt down a village.
“He (Garuba) was arrested around the Ala/Dada/ Ago-Oyinbo axis. He has successfully kidnapped over nine people and collected ransom. At a point in one of the villages, because they attempted to fight him, he led five other people back to the village at night and burnt down the whole village. So, we have him in our custody and he’s also an ex-convict,” Adeleye stated.
