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Tag: amotekun

  • 7 abducted Ondo farmers regain freedom

    7 abducted Ondo farmers regain freedom

    The seven farmers kidnapped in their farmland at Itaogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Saturday have regained freedom.

    The victims were working on their farms when gunmen launched an attack and whisked them away.

    A relative of one of the abductees, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told NAN on Friday that the seven farmers were released on Wednesday night after spending five days in captivity.

    “I’m happy to tell you that the kidnappers released all the seven farmers on Wednesday night. They are back to their families.

    “I want to let you know that when the kidnappers demanded ransom which was N100 million initially before it was reduced to N20 million, we were only able to raise N5 million.

    “They were released in Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti, on Wednesday night after collecting the N5 million and food items. The victims are now in the hospital for medical attention,” he said.

    Efforts by NAN to speak with the state Commander of Amotekun Corps, Mr Adetunji Adeleye, were unsuccessful as calls to his cell phone were not answered.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, simply said: “I’m not aware of their release.”

  • Soldier allegedly stabs Amotekun officer to death in Osun

    Soldier allegedly stabs Amotekun officer to death in Osun

    The Osun Amotekun Corps says one of its operatives allegedly attacked on Saturday by a soldier, has died in the hospital.

    Mr Isaac Omoyele, the Osun Amotekun Commander, made this known is a statement made available to journalists in Osogbo on Sunday.

    Omoyele explained that an Amotekun personnel, Peter Tope, was violent attack at about 5.45p.m, at Ijeda area, Ijebu Jesa, resulting in his death in the earlier hours of Sunday.

    “The incident occurred around 5:45 p.m. when a soldier, who was recently recruited into the Nigerian Army, launched an unprovoked assault on the Amotekun operative.

    “The soldier, dressed in military camouflage, approached the Amotekun station in Ijebu-Jesa with hostile intent and made some uncomplimentary comments about the Corps.

    “What subsequently followed after his comments was that he and his cohorts launched unprovoked attacked on one Amotekun personnel who was coming on his motorcycle.

    “They reportedly stopped the Amotekun personnel, knocked him down from his motorcycle, by hitting him with a hard object on the head.

    “The attacked on him lasted for about 20 minutes, leaving the Amotekun personnel injured and rolling in the pool of blood,” he said.

    Omoyele said the soldier and his accomplices thereafter left the scene on commercial motorcycles.

    Omoyele said other operatives of the Corps later evacuated Tope to Wesley Guild Hospital in Ilesa and reported the incident at Divisional Police Headquarters in Ijebu-Jesa.

    “Unfortunately, despite efforts to save his life, Officer Peter Samuel Tope succumbed to his injuries early Sunday morning,” he said.

    Omoyele demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, vowing that no effort would be spared in ensuring that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.

    When contacted, Police Spokesperson in Osun, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the incident, saying that the police are working to arrest the prime suspect (an Army Private).

    “It was reported by the Amotekun Commander in Ijebu Jesa that the suspect used his jack-knife to attack two Amotekun officials, injuring them.

    “They were taken to the hospital but one has been reported dead while the other is receiving treatment. We have the details of the suspect who is an Army Private,” Ojelabi told NAN.

  • Amotekun corps warns against cult gathering in Osun

    Amotekun corps warns against cult gathering in Osun

    The Osun Security Network, also known as the Amotekun Corps, on Monday warned against any form of unlawful gathering by cult groups to mark the “founder’s” day in the state.

    The warning is contained in a statement in Osogbo by the corps commander, Mr Adekunle Omoyele.

    Omoyele said the warning became imperative to guard against attempts by cult groups or secret societies to engage in meetings or any form of activity that may threaten the peace and security of the state.

    He reiterated the unwavering commitment of the corps to ensuring the safety and stability of the state.

    He explained that the corps had received intelligence indicating that some groups may attempt to exploit the fact that July 7 (today) was for clandestine or unlawful gatherings.

    The Amotekun commander warned that the state government through its security architecture would not tolerate any individual or group attempting to disturb the peace under the guise of cultural or secret celebrations.

    He said any person or group planning to hold meetings or carry out activities associated with secret cults or societies would face the full weight of the law.

    Omoyele, who described the state as a land of peace, said the corps would not allow any group of persons to disrupt the peace and harmony already existing in the land.

    He urged residents to go about their daily activities without fear, reassuring the public that the corps, in collaboration with other security agencies, had strategically deployed officials across the state to respond to any sign of unrest.

    ”We want to make it abundantly clear that anyone caught engaging in cult-related activities will face immediate arrest and prosecution.

    ”There will be zero tolerance for actions that threaten the security of lives and property,” he said.

    He encouraged citizens to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to security agencies, adding that the corps was dedicated to preserving law and order in the state.

  • Amotekun rescues 5 kidnap victims in Ondo

    Amotekun rescues 5 kidnap victims in Ondo

    The Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun Corps in Ondo, says five people have been rescued from kidnappers in the state without the payment of N150 million ransom.

    Mr Adetunji Adeleye, state Amotekun Commander, addressing newsmen on Wednesday in Akure, said the victims were rescued on May 6 and May 10.

    Adeleye explained that the rescues were a result of the mandate to enter the forests given to security agencies in the last few months in the state, especially amotekun.

    The commander said four of the victims were kidnapped at Iromeh along Lagos—Ore Expressway on May 10, while the kidnappers demanded N100 million.

    According to him, the four victims were kidnapped by four men, but within few minutes of the occurence, our distress line was called and we mobilised men to enter the forest.

    “The fifth victim was kidnapped on Ikare-Owo Road on May 6th, but was rescued without paying one kobo despite the matchete cuts inflicted on him. His kidnappers demanded N50 million.

    “He is recieving attention at our medical facility. We acted on credible intelligence and we assure the people that we will act promptly and treat any information in strict confidence.

    “Officers and men of amotekun are already on 24 hour patrols, while our rangers are already in the forest to ensure prompt response to any credibe information.

    “The Ondo State Government is doing everything to ensure safety of lives and properties of its residents. We are committed to ensuring zero tolerance to crime, kidnapping and armed robbery,” he said.

  • Amotekun rescue 16 women from trafficking

    Amotekun rescue 16 women from trafficking

    The Ogun Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, confirmed on Wednesday the rescue of 16 women and girls allegedly forced into prostitution.

    While parading the victims and their trafficker in Abeokuta, Amotekun Corps Commander, Alade Adedigba, said the girls were rescued after an intelligence report.

    Adedigba explained that the victims, aged between 12 and 27, were rescued from Rail Line Hotel in Ifo, located in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.

    The victims, mostly teenagers, were paraded alongside their alleged “carer,” identified as Mrs Idem Joy.

    Adedigba confirmed that 14 of the victims were from Akwa-Ibom, while one each came from Cross River and Delta.

    The commander added that N819,600 was recovered from the alleged trafficker, who kept the victims at Railway Line Hotel, Ifo, owned by Mrs. Yemisi Oguntoro, now at large.

    “Some victims revealed they were forced to swear an oath while naked with holy books, promising not to disclose their situation or attempt to escape,” Adedigba said.

    Adedigba emphasised the commitment of Gov. Dapo Abiodun to improve security and residents’ welfare. He reiterated that Ogun would not harbour criminals.

    “The Amotekun Corps will hand the case over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for further action,” Adedigba said.

  • Adeleke appoints new Amotekun Commander

    Adeleke appoints new Amotekun Commander

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has appointed a retired Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Adekunle Omoyele, as the new Corps Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps.

    Omoyele takes over from retired Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, the pioneer commander of the security outfit, whose tenure has expired.

    A letter signed by Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, the Secretary to the State Government, stated that Omoyele’s appointment takes effect from Wednesday, July 3.

    “In addition to your existing responsibility as the corps commander, Amotekun Security Network, you are expected to put to use the experience garnered during your remarkable years of active service.” the letter reads.

    The new Osun Amotekun commander retired from the Police Force in 2023 after 35 years in service.

    Until his appointment, Omoyele was the Special Adviser on Internal Security and Local Matters to the governor.

    The Western Nigeria Security Network code named Amotekun Corps was jointly formed by the South-West governors in 2020.

    The security outfit was set up to complement the efforts of other agencies to tackle crimes in the South West region.

  • Amotekun commander wants outfit upgraded to state police

    Amotekun commander wants outfit upgraded to state police

    The Amotekun Corps Commander in Osun, Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewunmbi (rtd), has called for the upgrading of the outfit to a state policing system across the South-West region of the country.

    Adewunmbi made the call in an interview with NAN on Sunday in Osogbo.

    According to him, such development will further strengthen the security architecture of the region and ensure safety of lives and property.

    The corps commander said that upgrading Amotekun to state a police outfit would enhance effective community policing in the region.

    “It will foster closer ties between the people and security agencies, and enhance intelligence sharing for more effective fight against crime,” he said.

    Adewunmbi further said such upgrading should grant the outfit access to  sophisticated arms and ammunition for optimal performance.

    “It will also empower them to prosecute criminals in courts, this will be a step in the right direction,” he said.

    He said that Amotekun had demonstrated the capacity to perform better if upgraded, saying,” it has shown rare bravery in fighting crime”

    “I am in full support of the call for state police. It will help to complement the effort of other security agencies.

    “We need security personnel that understand the terrain to be part of the system,” he said.

  • Amotekun nabs 45 suspected criminals in Ondo

    Amotekun nabs 45 suspected criminals in Ondo

    The Ondo State Amotekun Corps says it has arrested no fewer than 45 suspected criminals at different locations across the state.

    Mr Adetunji Adeleye, State Commander of the Corps, made the disclosure while parading the suspects before newsmen on Monday in Akure.

    Adeleye, who said that the suspects were arrested during the 24/7 constant patrol of the corps, said that the offences committed ranged from breaking of shops, kidnapping, cultism, among others.

    The Amotekun commander said one of the criminals, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested for allegedly engaging in vandalisation of electricity transformers in the state.

    “Of particular note is a set of criminals which faith caught up with, while cutting the cables, when electricity was supplied and burnt half of his body.

    “We arrested him, because the moment it happened, he was rushed to three different hospitals and when they got wind that detectives from Amotekun were on their trail, they moved him out of Akure.

    “We also trailed him to the location and brought him in a very terrible state.

    “He was to be killed so that he will not reveal his sponsors.

    “We had to revive him and brought him to the health facility of the corps where we spent a lot of money to make him come back to life.

    “He was able to tell us about nine other members of the gang, including their godfather who is on the run. We are on the trail of the godfather,” Adeleye said.

    The Amotekun commander assured the people of the state that the government was resolute in guaranteeing the safety of their lives and properties.

    “We want to appeal that members of the public should give us timely and accurate information to work with because more than 70 per cent of these criminals were apprehended due to the timely information that we got,” he said.

  • NYSC opens up on alleged posting of corps member to Amotekun

    NYSC opens up on alleged posting of corps member to Amotekun

    The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has debunked a story trending on the social media of a corps member posted to Amotekun Corps for one-year mandatory youths service programme.

    Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, NYSC Oyo State, Ms Christy Olatoye, in a statement on Saturday in Ibadan said Amotekun was not included on the list of employers on NYSC database.

    She, however, said the Western Nigeria Security Network code-named “Amotekun” remained a respected organisation

    Olatoye reiterated that a posting letter with such deployment did not emanate from the NYSC Oyo state.

    “The attention of the NYSC Oyo state has been drawn to a story trending on the Social media of a corps member posted to Amotekun Corps.

    “I want to set the record straight that it is the policy of the National Youth Service Corps to post Corps members to where they would be relevant and their services will be well utilised.

    “While I admit that the Amotekun Corps is a respected organisation in its line of assignment but it is not included on the list of employers on our database. We only post to employers on our database.
    She advised pranksters not to portraying the scheme negatively.

    “The National Youth Service Corps is a noble scheme that has served the nation for over five decades with notable achievements to our records.

    “It is therefore not an organisation that should be used as an object of prank, “she said.

  • We didn’t post corps member to Oyo Amotekun – NYSC

    We didn’t post corps member to Oyo Amotekun – NYSC

    The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has debunked a story trending on the social media of a corps member posted to Amotekun Corps for one-year mandatory youths service programme.

    Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations, NYSC Oyo State, Ms Christy Olatoye, in a statement on Saturday in Ibadan said Amotekun was not included on the list of employers on NYSC database.

    She, however, said the Western Nigeria Security Network code-named “Amotekun” remained a respected organisation

    Olatoye reiterated that a posting letter with such deployment did not emanate from the NYSC Oyo state.

    “The attention of the NYSC Oyo state has been drawn to a story trending on the Social media of a corps member posted to Amotekun Corps.

    “I want to set the record straight that it is the policy of the National Youth Service Corps to post Corps members to where they would be relevant and their services will be well utilised.

    “While I admit that the Amotekun Corps is a respected organisation in its line of assignment but it is not included on the list of employers on our database. We only post to employers on our database.

    She advised pranksters not to portraying the scheme negatively.

    “The National Youth Service Corps is a noble scheme that has served the nation for over five decades with notable achievements to our records.

    “It is therefore not an organisation that should be used as an object of prank, “she said.