The Ondo State Security Network Agency code-named Amotekun Corps has said about 750 ‘high-profile crime suspects’ were arrested between January and March 2025. 

The suspects were apprehended for various crimes ranging from robbery, banditry, kidnapping, cultism, to burglary among several criminal acts across the 18 local council areas of the state. 

The state commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adetunju Adeleye, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading 31 fresh suspects before journalists in Akure. 

Mr Adeleye said the arrest was a major push against the security crisis, which had been ravaging many parts of the state since the first quarter of the year. 

He noted that the security outfit was able to achieve the feat through the recently launched ‘Operation Dada’, a combined security joint task force to tackle kidnapping, attacks and killings of farmers by bandits. 

“In the first quarter of this year, we were able to arrest no fewer than 750 suspects. They are high-profile crimes committed with offences of kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry, cultism, and burglary, among others,” he said. 

Mr Adetunji explained that 175 among the crime suspects were being prosecuted, commending the public for their timely information in preventing some of them from carrying out their heinous plans. 

He also disclosed that the Amotekun Corps also received over 500 distress calls during the period under review, which prompted swift responses. 

Additionally, Mr Adetunji explained that a total of 114 persons suspected to be from northern extraction in the state’s forest reserve without any form of authorisation were intercepted by the Corps Amo-Rangers 

Noting that the suspects were returned to where they came from, the Amotekun boss said governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had ordered that those who do not have credible reason to remain in the forest should be ejected.

He added that 150 suspected cult members of different confraternity were arrested and profiled during the first quarter, stressing that 80 among them were arraigned in court to sign undertakings to denounce the groups.

Commenting on the 31 suspects, Mr Adeleye said some of the arrested suspects were those supplying daily needs to kidnappers in their dens.

He, however, called on the members of the public to be wary of scavengers working as spies for bandits and kidnappers.

The Amotekun boss also stated that Mr Aiyedatiwa promised to outlaw scavenging in the state after concluding arrangements for refuse disposal across the 18 local government areas of the state.