- The state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa also ordered the release of 28 out of the suspects.
- Residents assured of safety in the state.
The Ondo command of the south-west security network, also known as Amotekun, has paraded 45 suspects over different criminal activities in the state.
Adetunji Adeleye, commander of Amotekun in Ondo, said on Wednesday that the suspects were apprehended across the state’s 18 LGAs and paraded at the corps’ headquarters in Akure, the state capital.
Parading the suspects, Adeleye said that Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of the state ordered the release of 28 suspects in the ”spirit of Eid-el-Fitr.”
He said the suspects have been profiled as first time offenders, adding that their offences were not of capital punishment.
Giving details of the arrest, the commander revealed that the suspected criminals consisted of 14 kidnappers, one reckless driver, five burglars, two individuals violating anti-grazing laws, and five individuals apprehended for theft and dealing in stolen goods.
“As of today, we are parading 45 suspected criminals that were picked up in the acts in the 18 LGA. A couple of weeks ago, we reassured the people of their safety this festive period,” Adeleye said.
“Among the 45 suspects, we have 14 kidnappers, one dangerous driving, five burglary cases, two anti-grazing, four destruction of public peace, stealing and buying of stolen goods.
“In the spirit of the festive period, the Governor has directed that 28 of them, having been profiled as first time offenders whose offences are not ones with capital punishment, are to be released to their next of kin for rehabilitation with strict warning not to perpetrated such acts again. The remaining will face the full wrath of the law for committing such crimes because we have profiled them.”
According to him, “We have a particular case where we were able to break a kidnap syndicate in Akoko LG. The two kidnap victims are present here and the bike the kidnappers were supplied with. In our strive to bring them out, the kidnapper that had already confessed to us was matcheted in several places by his fellow kidnapper who wanted to cover up the crime.
“The officers of the corp rushed the kidnapper to the hospital and he was treated. He has given useful information. This kidnap syndicate has confessed to several kidnapping activities in Akoko, Kogi and Edo area. And we are still looking for their sponsor who is at large.”
He assured the people of the state that its would continue efforts to prevent criminal hiding places in the coastal state.