Amotekun arrests ex-convict for armed robbery, drug peddling

suspects

.Nabs suspected criminals in Ondo

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, have arrested a 21-year-old ex-convict for alleged involvement in drug peddling and armed robbery.
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The ex-convict, Simon Matthew, who had just completed his one-year prison term on January 1, was arrested on January 4.

Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, who paraded the suspect along with others, said Matthew was convicted of the same offence in Akure, the state capital.

He said: “The ex-convict, Simon Matthew, a middle-aged man, claimed to be a drug dealer; he had been convicted for drug and robbery activities, and that was exactly what he did again.

“We were able to disband four robbery gangs that are here, even though we have about four of them that are still at large, but the principal suspects are here with us.”

While also revealing that four people who violated the anti-open grazing law of the state were arrested, Adeleye emphasised that Amotekun Corps is fully operational in the 18 local councils of the state, contrary to a report that it had become overwhelmed.

“The fake news that went viral that Amotekun was overwhelmed was grossly false in its entirety because in the four local councils of Akoko, we have been on 24-hour, seven-day patrol in the last 60 days, and there have been no major cases of security breaches.”

“The state is one of the safest. You will recall that in early November we reassured members of the public that they were going to enjoy the Christmas and New Year holidays without fear of being molested. We placed it on record that there would not be bank robberies in Ondo State.
“So, I want to say that it was cheap blackmail orchestrated by enemies of the progress of the state, and aimed at discrediting the corps. But we refuse to be distracted. We will continue to serve our people and provide the quality security services we are reputed for.”

The Amotekun boss added: “You will recall that we have made it clear that there was not going to be any bank robbery or robbery operations in Ondo State throughout the last ‘ember’ months. I want to thank the men and officers of the Amotekun Corps, the Police, Civil Defence, Department of State Services, and other security agents that joined hands in ensuring that the safety of life and property in Ondo State was not compromised.

“The ‘ember’ patrol is still ongoing. And in the last week, we were able to arrest 29 suspects involved in forms of security breaches, ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, housebreaking, shop breaking, and stealing of okada (commercial motorcycles).
“There is a particular suspect that left the correctional centre, less than a week, and went into the crime again, burglary. In the same way, for those that were involved in illegal possession of firearms on our watch list in the last five months, we were able to apprehend some of them with different locally made guns and pistols.”
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