Amotekun arrests 39 suspected terrorists fleeing Sokoto to Ondo after US Airstrikes
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The Ondo command of the south-west security network, also known as Amotekun, says it has arrested 39 suspected terrorists who allegedly fled Sokoto and relocated to forest reserves in the state.
Adetunji Adeleye, the commander of Amotekun in Ondo, spoke on Tuesday while parading 61 suspects in Akure, the state capital.
The arrests are believed to be linked to the recent United States–backed military operation against ISIS elements in Sokoto State, northern Nigeria.
Last week, US President Donald Trump announced “powerful and deadly” strikes against the terrorists in the north-west region.
According to the Amotekun Commander, 39 of the suspects who fled Sokoto State were apprehended at the Elegbeka axis in Ose Local Government Area, a notorious security flashpoint where the Olufon of Ifon was murdered.
Mr Adeleye explained that the suspects were not intercepted while trekking but were discovered hibernating deep inside the forest, with their vehicles parked far from their hideouts to evade security operatives.
He added that the suspects are currently undergoing profiling, stressing that anyone found with incriminating materials would be prosecuted accordingly.
Also paraded was a suspect arrested for car theft, alongside the recovered vehicle, as the owner commended the swift intervention of Amotekun operatives.
Adeleye said collaboration among Amotekun corps across the south-west had improved border surveillance following the military strikes in the north.
“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.”
He thanked Lucky Aiyedatiwa, governor of Ondo, for supporting the agency and commended other security agencies and residents for their cooperation.
