The Amotekun Corps in Ondo say it received at least 500 petitions on farmer-herder clashes in 2022. 

Adetunji Adeleye, Amotekun commander in the state, said, “About a year ago, we received over 500 petitions of farmers and herders clashes, but now, it has reduced to 20 letters. We don’t want it to exist again.” 

The incessant conflict between farmers and herders in the country had been constituting a security threat and most especially threatening food security. 

Mr Adeleye said Amotekun would continue to ensure the security of life and property and that it would strengthen its partnership with other security agencies. 

“That is why the slogan of zero tolerance to crime is irresistible. I want to specially thank heads of all security Agencies for their support towards a crime-free yuletide season in the state,” he stated. “We are beaming our searchlight towards all forests in the state now that the festive season is over to ensure that these criminals don’t come in again.” 

He also revealed that the state security outfit arrested 150 suspected criminals and seized six trailers during Yuletide. 

Mr Adeleye, the special adviser to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on security matters, said among those arrested were “16 suspected kidnappers who were arrested just before they concluded plans to carry out the dastardly act.” 

“During the border patrol exercise, we intercepted six trailers that were suspected to be hijacked and we were able to bring them to Akure and delivered the goods to the rightful owners,” the AMotekun commander said. “The drivers and the suspected armed robbers are still going through the normal criminal investigation procedure as some of them are already at the correctional center as we speak.”

Mr Adeleye promised that the security outfit would be strategic in tackling kidnappers in the Ose and Akoko local council areas. 

“Throughout this period, we only recorded two kidnap incidents and 30 attempts. We also recovered locally made guns that they use to carry out their operations,” he stated. “Apart from these, we arrested Taxi drivers that deceive commuters to dispossess them of their wares and funds in the state.”