The Ondo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, has raised concerns over what it described as a growing influx of people from northern parts of the country into forests across the state, warning that the development could pose a security threat if not properly monitored.
The Commander of the Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, sounded the alarm while parading 97 suspects arrested across the state’s 18 local government areas within the last 14 days for various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, vehicle theft and breaches of the anti-open grazing law.
Adeleye said security operatives recently intercepted groups of men and women relocating into forest locations with household items such as bedding, cooking utensils, mortars and pestles, raising questions about their intentions and destination.
According to him, preliminary investigations showed that some of the individuals claimed they were fleeing insecurity and security operations in parts of northern Nigeria and had been invited by persons already living in forest settlements within Ondo State.
“We have observed a new trend where women of different ages travel into the forests carrying mortars, pestles, bedding and cooking utensils. Upon interrogation, they said they were fleeing security pressure in the North and were invited by some individuals to settle in the forests,” Adeleye said.
The Amotekun commander disclosed that one of the cases involved a resident who reportedly informed authorities that he had invited only two labourers to work on his farm, only for 51 additional persons to arrive at the forest settlement with their belongings.
He described the incident as suspicious and said it prompted further investigation by security agencies.
Adeleye also revealed that another group of 16 persons allegedly invited by a farmer was intercepted while travelling towards the Ose/Owo forest axis, an area that has experienced security challenges in recent years.
He said security agencies were profiling the individuals to determine their identities, intentions and possible links to criminal activities.
According to him, those found not to be involved in any crime would be handed over to recognised leaders of the Hausa/Fulani community and transported back to their states of origin, while anyone linked to criminal offences would face prosecution.
Beyond the reported influx into the forests, Adeleye said the corps recorded significant breakthroughs in its operations against criminal activities across the state.
He disclosed that several suspects connected with kidnapping and armed robbery were arrested in communities including Ikare, Kajola, Akure, Ilu-Abo, Akure North, Mure and Oja-Mokan.
Some of the suspects, he said, confessed to acting as informants and logistics suppliers for kidnapping gangs, providing intelligence and support that enabled criminal operations.
The commander further revealed that two suspects who had been posing as mentally challenged persons were uncovered as members of a criminal network allegedly gathering intelligence for kidnappers and other criminal elements.
Adeleye also announced the dismantling of a syndicate accused of invading homes at night, coercing victims into transferring money electronically before stealing their vehicles and fleeing the scene.
He said several stolen vehicles were recovered during operations targeting the gang.
The Amotekun boss attributed the recent successes in tackling criminal activities to the collaboration among the corps, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army.
He noted that sustained intelligence sharing and joint operations had helped maintain relative peace and strengthen security across Ondo State, while assuring residents that security agencies would continue to monitor developments in forest communities and take proactive measures to prevent criminal infiltration.
