The Amotekun Corps in Ondo state has begun a 24-hour security patrol and surveillance in order to reduce all criminal activities in the state during the yuletide season.

Adetunji Adeleye, the commander of the Corps, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading some suspects nabbed for various criminal activities in different parts of the state.

Mr Adeleye explained that the security surveillance, which also includes “border patrol,” would help reduce incessant cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, and shop breaking, synonymous with the festive period.

“Our personnel will be deployed to all blackspots observed in Ondo state, especially in Akure. Our patrol vehicles will operate 24 hours a day throughout this yuletide period. In collaboration with other security agencies, we are determined to minimise all acts of criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, shop or housebreaking.

“So, we are determined to make these acts impossible for them, and that’s why we’re sending this message to anyone planning to foment trouble during this yuletide – it won’t be business as usual. This is why we urge our people that when they see something, they should say something,” Mr Adeleye said.

Revealing that the Corps had already commenced the 2023/2024 ember patrol, the commander said one of the strategies being used by criminal elements to foment trouble is mostly using motorcycles at night.

He reiterated that the ban on commercial motorcycle activities from dawn to dusk by the state government was still in place, warning that “no excuses would be tolerated.”

“We appeal to our commercial motorcyclists to take a rest if they have worked for 12 hours. This will allow us to identify the criminal entities and elements using this trade to cause security breaches. It is also no longer permitted for vehicles to ply the road without registration numbers, and all vehicles with tinted glass should obtain police permits for them.

“Dealers should use dealer numbers and not stickers because vehicles with stickers will be impounded.”

However, he noted that the suspects arrested by the men of the Amotekun Corps were caught with locally-made weapons and had alleged plans to destabilise the state’s peace.