The Amotekun in Ondo has arrested the leader of a syndicate, Wasiu Olamide, who specialises in snatching motorcycles in major towns of the state.

Mr Wasiu, 35, was picked up in Akure, following series of complaints by victims of his escapades and intelligence gathered by the local security outfit.

Adetunji Adeleye, Commander of the Amotekun in the State, revealed the arrest of Mr Wasiu, on Monday, while parading him with seven other suspects nabbed for various crimes committed in Ondo.

He explained that Mr Wasiu, who is the ringleader of the syndicate operating within the South West region, usually rob their victims at gun points and later proceed to sell their motorbikes to a “readymade buyer”.

“We have a syndicate that operates within Ondo, Osun, Oyo, and Ogun in stealing motorcycles but we have been able to apprehend the ringleader (Wasiu) who confessed to having stolen over 100 motorcycles in the past three months.

“The suspect usually operates within the South-West region where he snatches motorbikes from their owners at gunpoint and takes it to a hideout where the bikes would be dismantled before selling them and there’s a buyer that comes midway and harvest all the motorcycles and cart them away,” Mr Adeleye told reporters.

The Amotekun boss added that the suspect, who is an indigene of Osun State, always operates around the Iwaraja junction in Ekiti State.

Speaking on other suspects, Mr Adeleye said they were allegedly involved in illegal possession of weapons and firearms, kidnapping, impersonation among others.

He listed the names of the suspects to include; Adegoroye Olusegun, Sunday Abuto, Yusuf George, Baba Mnama, and Andaka John

He, however, attributed the reduction in the crime rate in the state to the synergy between the security agents.