Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, has warned bandits to stay away from the South-West.

The warning is coming amid security challenges in the region especially the influx of the criminal group into Oyo State and other south-western states.  

Chairman of the Amotekun Corps in the South-West, Adetunji Adeleye, who gave the warning on Wednesday while parading 21 suspected criminals in the state, said the local security outfit had been on alert to curb the influx of bandits. 

Mr Adeleye, who is also the Commander of the Amotekun Corps in Ondo State, stated that the Amotekun Corps was currently embarking on a joint security patrol of forests in the South-West axis to curb the excesses of the criminals.

He also said that the strategy was to flush out the bandits who had invaded the forest reserves in the region. 

He added, “We are warning them (bandits) to stay away from the South-West region. This place is not their resting place at all. We are going to flush them out of our forests or wherever they may be.  We are also collaborating with other South-West Amotekun Corps to ensure we chase them away from our forests. Also, don’t forget that we had already put in place strategy in our state with the launch of the Amotekun Forest Rangers.’’ 

The influx of the armed bandits into the South-West, particularly Oyo State, has been raising concerns among people of the region in the last two weeks. 

Recall that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had raised the alarm that bandits being dislodged from the North-West states were infiltrating the state. 

A few weeks later, the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, called on governments in the South-West to prioritise security of the region in view of the latest reports on the influx of the bandits in the region. 

In a statement by the group’s national spokesman, Jare Ajayi, the group said that the disclosure by Mr Makinde over the influx of bandits into the state was not something to be treated with levity. 

Last week, operatives of the State Security Services apprehended 10 suspects linked to Boko Haram and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province.  

Meanwhile, about 2000 personnel of the Amotekun Corps have been mobilised to flush out bandits and other criminals operating in the South-West forests.  

According to a report by The PUNCH, Ogun and Osun states top the list with targeted 1,000 recruits, each followed by Oyo State with 480 men as part of efforts to curtail the influx.