AMOTEKUN ARRESTS 21 SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN ONDO

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested 53 suspects, including 21 undocumented foreign nationals allegedly living in two apartments in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area.

The suspects were paraded at the corps’ headquarters in Akure on Monday over alleged involvement in various offences, including kidnapping, self-kidnapping, murder, attempted murder, burglary, theft and cultism.

While presenting the suspects, the state commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, said the 21 foreign nationals were arrested following intelligence supplied by members of the Fulani community in the state.

Adeleye said the suspects claimed to have entered Nigeria from neighbouring West African countries to engage in menial jobs and phone repairs but were unable to provide documents authorising their stay in the country.

He expressed concern over what he described as the increasing movement of foreigners through Ondo State’s forests and urban areas under various pretexts.

According to him, some of the foreigners had reportedly been posing as phone sellers and repairers while staying in hotels and residential apartments.

Adeleye said the 21 suspects were found living in only two apartments in Owo and allegedly lacked ECOWAS documents required to establish their lawful stay in Nigeria.

He said the suspects had been handed over to the appropriate government agency for further investigation and necessary action.

The commander also said the landlords of the apartments could be subjected to scrutiny, stressing the need for property owners to properly verify the identities and activities of their tenants.

He warned that undocumented foreigners abandoned by their sponsors could become vulnerable to recruitment into criminal activities.

Meanwhile, Adeleye disclosed that the corps had uncovered a four-man self-kidnapping syndicate allegedly using social media to create false alarms and solicit money.

He said one of the suspects had initially reported to the corps that his siblings had been kidnapped but was later discovered to be an accomplice.

According to him, further investigation led operatives to the home of the alleged victim, where the supposedly kidnapped man was found.

Adeleye also disclosed that seven other suspects were arrested for alleged kidnapping activities through collaboration with members of the Fulani community.

He said a military uniform was recovered from one of the suspected kidnappers during the operation, while two kidnapped boys were rescued.

One of the rescued victims, he added, sustained serious machete injuries to his head and other parts of his body but was rescued alive and taken for medical treatment.

The commander commended members of the Fulani community for their cooperation in identifying and apprehending suspected criminals within their communities.

He also appreciated Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for supporting the corps in its efforts to tackle criminal activities across the state.