The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has made a significant security breakthrough with the arrest of thirty-nine individuals suspected to be bandits. The suspects were allegedly fleeing from northern Nigeria following recent military airstrikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Sokoto State.
Mass Arrest in Notorious Elegbeka Forest
The suspects were captured at the Elegbeka forest axis within Ose Local Government Area. This location has long been flagged by security forces as a dangerous hotspot for serious criminal activities such as kidnapping and armed robbery. In a broader festive season operation, the corps also apprehended an additional sixty-one individuals for various alleged crimes.
These offences ranged from kidnapping and armed robbery to car snatching and violations of the state's anti-open grazing legislation. The State Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, presented these details to the public on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, in Akure. He paraded over one hundred suspects arrested from across all eighteen local government areas of Ondo State.
Profiling and Potential Repatriation to Sokoto
Commander Adeleye explained that the thirty-nine suspects detained at Elegbeka are currently undergoing a thorough profiling process to establish their level of involvement in criminal acts. He indicated that individuals for whom no incriminating evidence is found might be sent back to Sokoto State, while others will face prosecution in Ondo.
"You will recall that the Elegbeka axis has been a black spot for criminal activities. Because of this, the Amotekun Corps established a control post within the forest," Adeleye stated. He expressed serious security concerns over the sudden influx, noting, "A few days ago, we arrested 39 individuals who claimed they were relocating to the forest due to pressure on them in the northern part of the country."
The commander issued a stern warning, stressing that entry into the state's forest reserves requires an official government permit. Any unauthorized movement into these protected areas will not be tolerated by the security agencies.
Breakdown of Festive Period Arrests
Providing a detailed breakdown of the over one hundred paraded suspects, Adeleye listed the following arrests:
- Approximately 50 individuals for various breaches of public law and order.
- Two suspects for violating the anti-open grazing law.
- Six persons for offences related to kidnapping.
- Three individuals for gender-based violence and rape.
Adeleye described these operations as part of a coordinated and sustained effort to cleanse Ondo State of criminal elements. He commended the state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for creating an enabling environment that allows security agencies to perform their duties effectively.
Collaboration and Specific Case Highlights
The Amotekun commander also acknowledged the crucial support and collaboration from sister security agencies. These include the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilante groups, and vigilant members of the public.
Highlighting specific incidents, Adeleye mentioned that two suspects, aged 34 and 45, were arrested for a kidnapping operation near Ofosu in the Odigbo area. In a separate case, three other individuals were apprehended in the Isua Akoko axis for their alleged involvement in similar crimes. Other arrests during the period included suspects accused of rape, physical assault on Amotekun officers, and armed robbery in different parts of the state.
The Amotekun Corps has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fortifying security across Ondo State and preventing the infiltration of criminal elements seeking safe haven from security pressures in other regions.
