The introduction of the community security network agency known as Amotekun is beginning to yield the desired positive results as the Ondo state chapter of the outfit has successfully arrested six suspected hoodlums who have capitalized on the EndSars protest in the state to perpetuate various forms of criminal acts.
The suspects which include Omotubora, Iyanuoluwa, Oyewole, Olaleye, Olamiju and Sunday, were alleged to have been involved in the act of looting, arson and other crimes during the violence that trailed the EndSars protest across the state.
Speaking on the crimes committed by the arrested offenders, the Commandant of the security agency in the state, Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed that the suspects were arrested in various parts of the state along with the exhibits linking them to the suspected offences.
Adeleye listed some of the items allegedly found on the suspects upon arrest to include police cardigan, police boots, police rifle and motorcycle. According to him, the recovered objects suggested that the suspects participated in the burning of Police stations in the state. He stated that other suspects, currently on the run at the moment, are being tracked for possible arrest.
Also speaking, the Head of Intelligence for Amotekun, Adebayo Ayeni, revealed that the arrests became possible through the effective intelligence gathering process imbibed by the agency, and he assured of efforts to ensure the long arms of the law catches up with other absconding looters and arsonists.
He informed that the arrested suspects have been handed over to the state police command for further investigation.
Answering questions from journalists, Olaleye – one of the suspects, denied committing any crime. He claimed the items found on him were only scraps he picked from the burnt police station and high court intending to sell them. He said he was not aware that items picked at crime scenes could land him in trouble.
Another suspect, Femi, explained that the military camouflages found in his room by the security operatives belonged to his late grandmother who a Colonel in the Nigerian Army.