As part of efforts to stem criminal activities in Ondo state, the State Commander of State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun Corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, on Monday, flagged off “Operations Safe Ground” to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.
This is just as the Ondo Amotekun paraded 48 suspected criminals arrested across the 18 local government areas of the state in the last few weeks including a serial kidnapper.
Speaking on the “Operations Safe Ground”, Adeleye disclosed that the Flagg off became necessary following the directives from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who authorised the immediate launch to ensure the safety of the good people of the state.
The Commander also stated that the launch of the operation will allow the residents of the state to sleep with their two eyes and to enable them carry out their businesses without fear of criminals, especially during the forthcoming Idel Kabir celebration.
He assured that the inauguration of Operations Safe Ground would lead to the creation of more control points on virtually every street in major towns and villages of the state, and would curb criminal activities of miscreants.
He noted that there had been disturbing reports and complaints by the residents over the rise in the activities of miscreants and criminals, tormenting major towns in the state, and carting away valuables of people.
Adeleye said that with the commissioning of the operation safe ground all criminals would be flushed out of the state within the next few days
He said “We observed that in the main cities, miscreants and criminals are taking over, we equally observed that on Sundays and when people go to work, these miscreants bungled their houses and make away with their valuables.
“The complaint became unbearable in the last few weeks and this was what prompted the Honourable governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to direct that operation safe ground be commissioned today.
“To the residents of the state capital and the major towns in the state, you will start observing like before, control points and security points in virtually every street in the state to curb the notorious activities of these vandals in this hard time that dispossessed people of their valuables”.
Speaking on the 48 suspected criminals arrested across the state, Adeleye disclosed that they were arrested for various criminal activities such as kidnapping, theft, burglary, impersonation, anti-grazing, and vandalism, among others.
“In Isua, we found out that so many transformers have been stolen, so many cables servicing the transformer have been caught and taken away.
He said “By the grace of God and the support of the people, Amotekun has been able to break that terrible cartel, we were able to arrest about three different groups and these three groups sell the products of these bad activities to a particular person who is at large but the long hand of the law will soon catch up with him.
“We also have those that specialise in uprooting cables from buildings under construction and uncompleted buildings, we found out that these cables are burned and the copper removed and sold to this godfather of criminals called Abubakar Muhammed that is at large.”
Adeleye assured the public that the corps will continue in its strive to ensure the protection of lives and properties of good citizens at all times.
According to him, Amotekun in the state is committed to protecting the citizens during the forthcoming Ileya festival and is set to deploy 1000 men to every corner of the state in order to achieve that.
He said “In view of the forthcoming Ileya festival, the corps from tomorrow will deploy 1000 men across the state especially at the borders, prayers ground, marketplace, and churches to guarantee the safety of life and property during the coming holidays.
“We want to do enough work to prepare ground such that people can enjoy their holiday and sleep with both eyes closed without fear of being molested.”
He disclosed that some of his men would be deployed to interstate boundary communities to prevent inter-border criminal activities.
One of the victims, Emmanuel, who was abducted by a serial kidnapper, identified as Jubril, disclosed that the suspect had been arrested more than twice by the police but released on bail, saying, Jubril kidnapped him on May 2, 2024, before he was arrested.
Another victim of Jubril, Mercy Adesunloye, explained that she was kidnapped while working on her farm with her husband in February.
Another victim of Jubril, Dare Oluwateru disclosed that he once delivered the ransom requested by Jubril and his group when his relative was kidnapped but said Jubril also attempted to kidnap him again last month before he escaped.
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