The Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Amotekun, in Ondo State on Monday arrested a juvenile robber (name withheld), who adopted the name of a notorious Nigerian armed robber, “Oyenusi”.

Adetunji Adeleye, the state commander of Amotekun, disclosed this while addressing reporters on the arrest of 31 suspects for alleged crimes ranging from kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, stealing, and vandalism, among others.

Mr Adeleye, who recalled that the suspect was once arrested three years ago by his men before being handed over to the juvenile home for rehabilitation, said the suspect was 13 years old when he was first arrested.

“And when we first arrested him, he was 13 years. The best we could do then was to hand him over to a juvenile and see if he could be rehabilitated.

“But right now, he is 16, this time around, he broke into a number of shops and removed items. Between then and now, he confessed that he had engaged in over 40 house-breaking activities,” he said.

Mr Adeleye, who doubles as the special adviser (security matters) to the state governor, also said nine suspects were arrested for alleged kidnapping. At the same time, five were nabbed for stealing, and four were apprehended for vandalism.

According to him, the corps also arrested 13 suspects for illegally possessing firearms and house-breaking.

The commander explained that following the increasing rate of kidnapping in the country, the corps, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force, Army, State Security Service (SSS), and other sister security agencies, have commenced clearance operations.

He said the operation was to flush out kidnappers and other criminals from the state’s forests and other strategic locations.

“So, it is time for kidnappers and other criminals to park and leave Ondo state. Otherwise, they will soon be paraded like their colleagues,” he said.

(NAN)