The Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has confirmed a significant security breakthrough with the arrest of thirty-nine suspects alleged to have escaped from Sokoto State in the North-West. The suspects were reportedly hiding in forest reserves within Ondo State in the South-West.
Arrests Linked to US Military Action
State Commander of the Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed the arrests on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, while parading the suspects in Akure. He directly linked their flight to a recent United States-backed military strike against ISIS terrorists in northern Nigeria.
Adeleye stated that the group was apprehended a couple of days prior at the Elegbeka axis in Ose Local Government Area. He described this location as a notorious security flashpoint, infamously known as the place where the Olufon of Ifon was murdered years ago.
"They claimed they relocated into the forests due to the strike on them in the northern part of the country," the Commander revealed, indicating a potential southward migration of criminal elements following increased military pressure in the north.
Elegbeka: A Persistent Criminal Black Spot
Commander Adeleye emphasized the notoriety of the Elegbeka forest, labeling it a long-standing black spot for criminal activities like kidnapping and armed robbery. In response to this threat, the Amotekun Corps has established a permanent control post inside the forest to monitor and curb illegal operations.
He raised an alarm over the sudden influx of individuals into the state's forest reserves, noting that government policy requires permits for anyone to reside in such areas. The suspects were not found trekking but were discovered hibernating deep within the forest, with their vehicles parked at a considerable distance from their hideouts, suggesting a deliberate attempt to evade detection.
Ember-Month Operations Yield Nearly 100 Arrests
The arrests of the 39 individuals from Sokoto formed a crucial part of Amotekun's extensive ember-month security operations. These operations involved officers deployed across four major initiatives throughout Ondo State.
As the special patrol concluded, Adeleye confirmed that nearly 100 suspects were detained in total. On the day of the parade, 61 suspects were presented to the public. The Commander provided a detailed breakdown of the offences:
- 50 suspects were held for various breaches of public peace and order.
- 2 suspects were arrested for violating anti-open grazing laws.
- 6 suspects were detained for offences related to kidnapping.
- 3 suspects faced allegations of rape and gender-based violence.
Adeleye assured the public that all suspects are undergoing intensive profiling. Those found with incriminating evidence or linked to serious crimes will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This development underscores the ongoing security challenges in Ondo State, particularly the vulnerability of its vast forest reserves, which continue to serve as hideouts for criminal elements from across the country.
