Crime

US strike: Amotekun arrests 39 suspects fleeing Sokoto in Ondo forest (PHOTOS)

Published

10 months ago

December 30, 2025

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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Crime

EFCC busts Chinese-linked illegal refinery in Ogun

Published

5 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered an illegal oil refinery allegedly operated by Chinese nationals in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

The commission said the facility was discovered on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of its Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence and surveillance on the activities of illegal sludge oil refiners.

The EFCC disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale.

Oyewale said the facility was deserted when operatives stormed the premises, following an earlier crackdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area.

However, he said operatives discovered waste products from the refining process and underground tanks suspected to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

The statement read, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission uncovered an illegal oil refinery operated by Chinese in the Ogere area of Ogun State.

“The operation, conducted on Saturday, October 31, 2026, by operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, followed credible intelligence and surveillance by the commission on the activities of the illegal sludge oil refiners.

“The refinery was found deserted when EFCC operatives stormed the premises, following the commission’s earlier clampdown on four illegal lithium processing plants in the area. However, waste products from the refining process were discovered at the location.”

Oyewale said during the raid, underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing the sludge oil were also discovered.

“Two of the underground tanks inspected contained substances suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri, Delta State, and Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and transported it to the illegal facility in Ogere for processing,” Oyewale added.

He said the operators subjected the sludge oil to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce diesel for sale in the Nigerian market.

“Personnel at the facility told EFCC operatives that the Chinese operators never disclosed their identities nor the name of the company behind the facility.

“Consequently, operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC have since taken over the premises as investigations continue to establish the identities of the operators, the ownership of the facility and the full extent of the suspected illegal activities and economic sabotage,” he added.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Oyo boxer, KBlaq stabbed to death during street fight

Published

1 day ago

November 3, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

An amateur boxer identified simply as Kehinde and popularly known as KBlaq has been stabbed to death during a street fight at Olodo Garage in Ibadan, Oyo State.

PUNCH Metro learnt on Monday that the incident occurred on Sunday, sparking outrage among social media users, who called for justice for the deceased.

According to accounts circulating online, the deceased was not initially involved in the fight, while the suspect allegedly appeared after the confrontation had ended and stabbed him in the neck with a broken bottle.

Kehinde, who was described by acquaintances as a boxer, reportedly succumbed to his injuries.

Several social media users expressed shock over the killing, with some claiming that the suspect was not among those involved in the initial fight.

An X user, @MVKAY2, wrote, “The person who stabbed him was not even involved in the fight, and they had stopped fighting already. Just one of those vile men wey the matter no concern came from nowhere and stabbed him.

“Before una start dropping different narratives, I wish he was with Z second. I wish he was never there.”

Another user, @omononaolapo, wrote, “Funny enough, this guy that stabbed him was not even among those that they were fighting.”

Similarly, @Tunde, who described the deceased as his brother, wrote, “Na my brother o. Ajeh. Olodo bike men can be very mean sometimes, and they were all there watching them fight.”

Another user, @Fela, added, “This was why I made this tweet earlier today. This boxer is my younger brother’s friend. I got to church yesterday and my brother told me someone killed his friend. I was shocked when he told me.”

Also, @Pelumifundz, who described Kehinde as the younger brother of a friend, wrote, “This guy is a twin and my friend’s junior brother. He’s so gentle and doesn’t cause trouble. I would really love to know what happened that made the bikeman stab him in the neck. Anyways, rest in peace, Kenny. I know you won’t go without having justice. We will definitely get it for you.”

Confirming the incident on Monday, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, told our correspondent during a telephone interview that an investigation was ongoing.

Source: punchng.com

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Crime

Terrorists abduct 14 Islamic school students in Niger

Published

1 day ago

November 3, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

Suspected terrorists have abducted 14 students in a Niger State Islamic school.

The incident reportedly happened on Saturday in Pandogari in Rafi Local Government Area.

The PUNCH learnt that the students were abducted while harvesting maize in their teacher’s farm when the terrorists invaded the farm.

The teacher was also reportedly kidnapped during the incident.

The spokesman of the Niger State police command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident on Monday, saying that the number of abducted students was 14 and not 50 as reported.

He also said a joint security mission was on a rescue mission, assuring that the abducted students would be rescued.

“On 31/10/2026 at about 12.30 pm, suspected bandits invaded Tungan-Bako village via Rafi LGA and abducted some persons working on the farm.

“The report further indicated that the abducted victims were about 14 students of an Islamiya helping their Mallam to harvest maize on the farm before the incident.

“However, joint security rescue efforts are ongoing; further developments will be communicated,” he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesman of the Social Democratic Party governorship candidate, Jonathan Vatsa, speaking on the incident, condemned Governor Mohammed Bago over his handling of the security situation in the state.

He lamented that the governor was busy with electioneering and had failed to protect lives and property.

“The security agencies in the state lack operational vehicles and other necessary equipment to confront the situation.

“The government is only there to issue statements either condemning every attack or condole with the people over the death of their loved ones without any cogent step to address the situation,” Vatsa said.

Source: punchng.com

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