The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has announced plans to prosecute 142 suspected criminals across the state.
The suspects allegedly committed offences including kidnapping, cultism, anti-grazing violations, and violent clashes between farmers and herders.
Amotekun Shifts Focus to Prosecution
State Commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed the development during a parade of suspects at the agency’s headquarters in Akure on Friday.
Adeleye said the corps now places more attention on prosecution rather than arrest figures.
“We are shifting attention from the number of suspects arrested to the number of suspects being prosecuted,” he said.
According to him, the corps completed investigations and transferred the case files of 142 suspects to various courts.
“All of these are going through the normal processes of prosecution in the various courts where their cases were transferred,” Adeleye added.
Corps Arrests 64 More Suspects
The commander also revealed that Amotekun recently arrested 64 additional suspects.
He said officers are currently profiling the suspects before deciding the next legal steps.
“Those worth prosecuting will be taken to courts of competent jurisdiction,” he stated.
Adeleye explained that some disputes could also go through alternative resolution methods where necessary.
Security Operatives Arrest Gang Leader
The Amotekun commander further disclosed that operatives arrested a suspected gang leader and two members of a criminal network terrorising parts of the state.
He alleged that the group received instructions from outside Ondo State.
According to Adeleye, the suspects confessed to several crimes, including kidnapping, violent robbery, and destruction of property.
He said the corps would hand the suspects over to the Department of State Services for further investigation and prosecution.
Forest Clearance Operations Ongoing
Adeleye said security agencies have intensified joint operations across forests in Ondo State.
He noted that the state shares boundaries with three neighbouring states, making security collaboration important.
The commander said operatives from the police, army, DSS, NSCDC, and Amotekun have launched coordinated clearance operations to remove criminal elements from forest areas.
“This will ultimately translate to better security for our society,” he said.
He also praised the collaboration among security agencies, describing it as vital to recent operational successes in the state.
