95 suspects in Ondo over criminal activities

Monday, February 16 2026 - Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested at least 95 suspects across the state’s 18 local government areas over alleged involvement in various criminal activities.

The arrests were carried out through a coordinated security operation involving operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigerian Army.

Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Akure, the state capital, the Ondo State Amotekun Commander, Akogun Adeleye, said the suspects were apprehended for offences ranging from kidnapping and burglary to theft and illegal mining.

According to Adeleye, some of the suspects include Victor (31), Jonathan (34), Akpan (35), Aliu (27), Sanni (20), Adeoye (44), Ayodeji (50), Abdullahi (24), Doman (25), Isaac (20), Peter (25), and Dada (42).

He explained that sustained intelligence-driven operations carried out in recent weeks had yielded significant results, noting that 61 of the suspects were intercepted inside a trailer truck and are currently undergoing profiling to determine their level of involvement in criminal activities.

“We also have 19 suspects arrested for breaching public peace and order, three linked to farmer-herder and anti-grazing violations, and 12 connected to kidnapping cases,” Adeleye said.

The Amotekun boss added that several kidnapping suspects were arrested in troubled areas of Akure North Local Government Area, including Ilu-Abo, Idogun-Ugbe, Alagbaka, Ayede, Iloro Camp, and Ogbese, expressing optimism that the arrests would help restore calm to the affected communities.

On anti-grazing offences, he disclosed that suspects identified as Umai Jibril and Hassan were apprehended, bringing the number of persons currently being paraded for such offences to 34, while investigations continue on the remaining suspects.

Adeleye attributed the success of the operations to effective collaboration among security agencies in the state, stressing that such synergy would be sustained.

He warned criminals to abandon unlawful activities, declaring that Ondo State would not serve as a refuge for criminal elements.

“We will continue to work closely with sister agencies to protect lives and property. Anyone found engaging in crime will be decisively dealt with,” he said.