The leadership of Osun State Security Network also known as Amotekun Corps on Sunday paraded suspects arrested in different parts of the state for robbery and rape.
Parading the suspects in Osogbo, the state capital, the state Field Commander of the Corps, Amitolu Shittu, said the operatives working on intelligence swooped on a seven-man gang at a hotel in Ile-Ife, while planning to attack a cement warehouse in Ilesa.
Shittu, who said the suspects would be released to the police for further investigation and prosecution, called for inter agencies collaboration to further secure lives and property in the state.
He said, “We need to collaborate. A situation whereby police will come to our custody and take away suspects will always cause friction.
“I want to commend policemen at Zone XI and Osun Command of the Department of State Services for the assistance given to Amotekun. All the suspects will be handed over to the police for further action.”
Responding to questions by The PUNCH, a robbery suspect simply identified as Elon, a businessman resident in Lagos state, said he was called to buy groundnut oil in Osun.
“The person that called me also said there was a shop that we would break in Ilesa to steal cement. I told the caller that I would come. On my arrival at a hotel in Ife, Amotekun men appeared there and arrested me,” Elon said.
Another suspect arrested in connection with the crime, Joseph Adekunle, however said it was Elon that brought the idea that they could break a warehouse in Ilesa and steal cement.
Adekunle, an artisan, also said operatives of Amotekun, having arrested Elon, lured him to Ile-Ife where he was also apprehended.
He said, “I was arrested because we planned to break a warehouse and steal cement. I was in my house in Iragbiji when Elon called me and mentioned the idea that we could break a warehouse in Ilesa and steal cement.
“He used to buy groundnut oil from our area. I didn’t know Amotekun men were already trailing me, when I travelled to Ife to meet Elon. I was arrested in Ife.”
Also paraded was a 20-year old apprentice, Tobi Adebayo, arrested for alleged rape of a minor in Iwo.
Adebayo, who claimed that the victim was his girlfriend, also said he did not know the girl was a minor, adding that she only spent two days with him.
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