Crime
US strike: Amotekun arrests 39 suspects fleeing Sokoto in Ondo forest (PHOTOS)
The ripple effects of the recent United States–backed military strike against ISIS terrorists in Northern Nigeria have reached Ondo State, as the Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun, on Tuesday announced the arrest of 39 suspects who allegedly fled Sokoto State and relocated to forest reserves in the state.
Adetunji Adeleye, the State Commander of Amotekun, disclosed this while parading 61 suspects arrested for various criminal offences at the agency’s headquarters in Akure.
According to Adeleye, the 39 suspects were apprehended at the Elegbeka axis in Ose Local Government Area, a notorious security flashpoint where the Olufon of Ifon was murdered some years ago.
“A couple of days ago, 39 suspects were arrested together, claiming that as a result of the heat turned on them in the northern part of the country, they relocated into the forest,” Adeleye said.
Adeleye, who described Elegbeka as a long-standing black spot for criminal activities, said Amotekun had established a permanent control post inside the forest to curb kidnapping and armed robbery. “For anyone to stay in our forest areas, the government has made it clear that such a person must obtain permits. The sudden influx of these elements raises serious questions,” he noted.
He explained that the suspects were not trekking when arrested but were hibernating inside the forest, with vehicles parked far away from their hideout. “We trapped them and brought them together. Profiling is almost completed. We are still profiling them. Those found with incriminating materials will surely be prosecuted.”
The Amotekun Commander explained that the arrests were part of the agency’s ember-month security operations, which involved officers deployed on four major operations across the 18 local government areas of Ondo State, which ultimately yielded over 100 arrests
“As we round up the ember-month patrol, which ends tomorrow, we have arrested about 100 suspects, out of which 61 are on parade today,” he stated.
He said a breakdown of the offences showed that: 50 suspects were arrested for breach of law and order, 2 suspects for anti-open grazing violations, 6 suspects for kidnapping-related offences, and 3 suspects for rape and gender-based violence.
Adeleye added that although the ember-month patrol would end shortly, security operations would not relent. “Operation Le Won Jade Phase Two will commence from January 1, while our 24/7 patrol continues, just as the Amotekun Rangers domiciled in the forests will remain active.”
Adeleye said two suspects, Mustafa (34) and Philip (45) were arrested for kidnapping around the Ofosu, Odigbo axis, while three others Idris (18), Ibrahim Abdullahi (20), and Lawal Idris (23) were apprehended in Isua Akoko.
On rape and assault on Amotekun officers, he disclosed that Daniel Ojo (19), Usman (33) and Bejide (41) were arrested in the Isinkan area of Akure. “In addition, Amotekun operatives arrested Ola Tunbosun (30), alongside Ibrahim and Shahidu, for armed robbery across Akure North, Oba Akoko and Oba-Ile.”
The Amotekun boss also revealed that the agency recently smashed a robbery gang that had been terrorising residents of Akure and other parts of the state. “The robbery took place in the heart of Akure. They stole a car on display and dispossessed residents of their valuables.
According to him, the suspects used unpainted taxis without clear registration numbers to lure passengers before threatening them with guns and robbing them. “We were able to arrest three suspects and the taxi. I appeal to members of the public to be wary of taxis without readable registration numbers,” he cautioned.
Responding to questions on security reinforcement following the military strikes in the North, Adeleye confirmed that inter-state collaboration among the Southwest Amotekun corps had significantly improved border security.
“The synergy between the border patrols of Ondo/Ekiti, Ondo/Osun and Ondo/Ogun has been yielding tremendous results,” he said. In fact, some suspects not paraded today were arrested in Ogun State and brought back to Ondo.”
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Two Nigerian nationals have been sentenced to seven years in prison for armed robbery in Kuwait.
The Kuwait General Department of Criminal Investigation in Ahmadi Governorate arrested the two individuals over alleged involvement in an armed robbery and theft of a currency exchange shop in Mahboula, in January 2025.
The Court of Appeal on Monday, July 20, 2026 upheld the imprisonment of the defendants for seven years and six months in connection with the robbery and theft.
The Second Circuit of the Court of Appeal, headed by Counselor Nasr Salem Al-Haid and comprising Counselors Mutaib Al-Aradhi and Saud Al-Sane, upheld the ruling against members of a Nigerian gang involved in the robbery and theft of the money exchange shop.
The Public Prosecution had charged the first four defendants with stealing money from the exchange shop, with the second defendant using a fake gun and enabling the third and fourth defendants to steal the money with the assistance of the first defendant.
The fifth defendant was charged with participating with the defendants, agreeing to commit the crime, helping them conceal the stolen goods, and supplying them with the money obtained from the robbery and theft.
The Criminal Court had sentenced the first and fifth defendants in person, while the remaining defendants were sentenced in absentia.
The court had initially sentenced the first four defendants to seven years’ imprisonment and the fifth defendant to six months’ imprisonment after amending the description and charges.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the ruling, according to a report published by Al Rai newspaper.
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The Cross River State Police Command has arrested one Udeme Emmanuel Ekpeme, “m”aged 39, over allegations of impersonation, obtaining money by false pretence, and the unlawful use of medical equipment.
The suspect was arrested by Police officers attached to Uwanse Division ,Calabar South following a complaint lodged by Mrs. Edemawan Samuel, 45, who alleged that the suspect falsely presented himself as a medical doctor and fraudulently obtained the sum of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000) from her under the false promise of securing employment for her children at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect allegedly used the false representation to deceive the complainant into parting with the money. Relevant exhibits believed to be connected to the case were recovered during the investigation, and the suspect is currently in police custody.
Confirming his arrest to newsmen, the spokesperson of the command, ASP Eitokpah Akata, said state Commissioner of Police, has directed that a thorough investigation be carried out to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case and determine whether there are other victims. Akata added that upon the conclusion of investigations, the suspect will be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established.
He mentioned that the command is actively conducting a discreet investigation into the matter to uncover the full extent of the suspect’s activities and identify any other possible victims or accomplices. Members of the public are assured that further updates will be provided as investigations progress.
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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Badagry Area Command, has uncovered an alleged fake university operating from a three-bedroom apartment in Ilado, Olorunda Local Council Development Area, of Lagos State, and rescued 106 youths allegedly lured into the scheme. AkwaIbom News
The Corps also arrested the alleged proprietor of the institution, which reportedly recruited young people from different parts of Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries with promises of admission into a foreign university.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Monday after days of intelligence gathering and covert surveillance, exposed what security officials described as an alleged fraudulent academic and recruitment scheme.
The youths, mostly aged between 19 and 24, were taken into protective custody by the NSCDC for profiling and further investigation.
Confirming their arrest to newsmen, the Badagry Area Commander of the NSCDC, Chief Superintendent Gbenga Ekunola, said the operation followed credible intelligence received by the command on activities at the apartment.
“We got reliable intelligence about the activities going on there. Our officers monitored the place for days before moving in. We have arrested the proprietor, who is assisting with our investigation, while the students have been taken into our protective custody.”
Preliminary investigations indicated that unsuspecting young people were allegedly persuaded to pay admission and processing fees after being promised admission into a foreign tertiary institution.
The victims reportedly paid between N200,000 and N1.5 million, while some foreign nationals and other participants allegedly paid between $400 and $500.
However, the alleged admission scheme reportedly came with a recruitment condition, with participants encouraged to bring in more people in return for commissions.
The arrangement allegedly operated like a chain marketing or Ponzi scheme, with participants promised increasing financial rewards based on the number of new students they recruited.
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