By Precious Oluwole

Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, the Commander, Western Nigeria Security Network (NSNW) codenamed Amotekun Corps, Ondo State Command has said some of the suspected kidnappers of 16 passengers abducted in Akoko axis last week have been arrested.

The commander made this revelation while parading some of the suspected criminals at the Command’s headquarters in Akure on Monday.

He described the arrest and the rescue of the abducted passengers as another great achievement of the Corps.

According to him, the cheering news about the rescue of the victims, was the fact that they were rescued without paying any ransom adding that their belongings have been handed over to them and reunited with their families.

“We had a very serious kidnap issue involving about 16 people in Ose and Arimogija axis and we were also able to apprehend some of the culprits who have been identified”.

“It was a joint operation involving men of the 32 Artillery Brigade, the Nigeria Police, the NSCDC and the Amotekun Corps”.

Other paraded suspects included armed robbers, cultists, a group specialized in snatching and dismantling motorcycles among others.

“We have 17 criminals or suspected criminals and we have begun investigation to ascertain criminal offences in which they have committed”.

“Findings have shown, that there has been decline in criminal activities, especially neighborhood criminal activities like housebreaking, stealing among others within the state in the last one month”.

”We have an unusual influx of herdsmen into our communities and most of the time, it goes with kidnapping”.

“Just yesterday, we got a distress call from a community in Akure, that two of their members were whisked away and within few minutes, we got there, cordoned off the area, rescued them and arrested one of the kidnappers who confessed that other four gun-wielding members have fled to the southern part of the country”.

“We also have some suspected armed robbers and cultists and we have a group that specializes in dismantling stolen Okada and sell to another group resident in Osogbo”.

“In collaboration with the Amotekun Corps in Osun State, we were able to arrest the kingpin who took us to the receiver in Akure”.

“I want to thank members of the public for feeding us with timely information and we assure, that information given before and now will continue to be treated in the strictest confidence”, he said.

He further commended members of the public for their supports and determination to join security agencies in their quests to rid the society of criminal elements.

“This is why we say Ondo State is not a place where criminals and criminal activities can thrive”.

“To the criminals, exit Ondo State, there is no hiding place for you here”.

He enjoined members of the public to go about their lawful businesses saying the Akeredolu-led administration is determined to continue to create a conducive atmosphere for socio-economic growth of the State.