South-West Not Haven For Bandits, Says Amotekun Commander

The South-West Security Network (SWSN), also known as Amotekun Corps, has issued a stern warning to bandits, asserting that the South-West region of Nigeria is not a haven for them. The Corps has also vowed to intensify its efforts to flush out criminals from the forests in the region, particularly with an increased focus on joint security patrols.

In a briefing held in Akure, the Ondo State capital, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, the Chairman of the Corps Commanders in the South-West, made it clear that the region would not tolerate criminal activities. He revealed that the Amotekun Corps was undertaking increased security operations, particularly targeting forests where bandits have been known to operate.

Increased Patrols and Security Measures

Adeleye explained that Amotekun was concluding its Yuletide patrol and shifting focus to a more concentrated effort to safeguard the forests and other vulnerable areas. This includes deploying armoured rangers to combat the growing number of security breaches.

“We are rounding up the Yuletide 24-7 patrol and concentrating more on the armoured rangers due to the increasing rate of security breaches in our forests,” Adeleye said. He noted that the security breaches involved a range of criminal activities, including kidnapping, illegal grazing, and civil disorder.

He further explained that the suspects paraded by Amotekun included four suspected kidnappers, five violators of the anti-open grazing law, and 12 others accused of various crimes such as theft, attempted murder, and conspiracy.

Despite these breaches, Adeleye reassured the public that the overall security situation in the region was relatively peaceful due to the timely intervention of the Amotekun Corps. He also highlighted that the breaches at the borders had reduced significantly, thanks to the efforts of the Amotekun Rangers in monitoring the region’s entry points.

Public Cooperation and Success Stories

Adeleye expressed his gratitude to the public for their cooperation, particularly in providing the Corps with timely information that has helped prevent numerous crimes. He cited an example of 15 kidnap attempts that were foiled in the past month alone, thanks to prompt intervention by the Amotekun Corps.

He also urged citizens to continue supporting Amotekun by sharing actionable information, especially through the Corps’ distress call line (0807999989). “Once we have such information, you can be sure that relief will come your way immediately,” he assured.

A Bold Escape and Subsequent Arrest

In an interesting development during the press briefing, one of the suspects paraded by the Amotekun Corps was Noel Bulus, who had recently escaped from police custody. Bulus, who was arrested for wandering the streets, claimed that he was handed over to the police and handcuffed. However, he managed to escape when the police left a back door unlocked while securing the front door.

He recounted how a man who saw him in handcuffs offered to help him cut them off. However, before they could take further action, Amotekun operatives appeared and arrested him again. Bulus’ escape and recapture served as a reminder of the Corps’ vigilance and effectiveness in maintaining security in the region.

Conclusion

Akogun Adeleye’s statement underscores the growing commitment of Amotekun in the fight against banditry and other forms of criminality in the South-West. With its strengthened patrols, improved cooperation with the public, and targeted security measures, the Amotekun Corps is sending a clear message to bandits and criminals that the region will not tolerate their presence.

As the security situation continues to improve, the public’s role in providing timely information remains critical to ensuring peace and stability in the region.