Amotekun Corps has arrested 98 suspected criminals in Ondo State. The operation targeted kidnappers, robbers, and drug dealers operating across the region.
Commander Adetunji Adeleye announced the arrests at the agency's headquarters on Wednesday. He said operatives conducted the sweeps during anti-kidnapping campaigns in various locations.
Among those detained are fake lunatics working with criminal networks. According to Adeleye, these individuals disguise themselves as mentally ill to avoid police detection.
The suspects used the tactic while trafficking drugs and gathering intelligence for abductors. They also coordinated robbery operations while posing as unstable persons.
"Our plainclothes officers tracked them to phone charging stations and safe houses," Adeleye told reporters. He explained how undercover teams monitored their movements before making arrests.
Sixty suspects are currently in court facing prosecution. Thirty-eight cases have been resolved through the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism instead.
Another 13 suspects remain under investigation and interrogation. Ten additional suspects were caught red-handed at kidnapping scenes attempting abductions.
In one recent operation, Amotekun rescued a kidnapped couple from Iluabo community. The family was freed without ransom payments or negotiations with captors.
Rapid response teams moved into the forest after receiving distress calls. Female victim rescue came swiftly, while overnight operations secured her husband's release.
"We reunited them without any financial settlement," the commander stated. His teams' quick action prevented what could have been a tragedy.
Adeleye blamed the spike in kidnappings on criminals fleeing the north. Pressure in northern Nigeria has driven dangerous elements southward, he noted.
Ondo State has witnessed increased criminal activity in recent months. Security agencies continue intensifying operations to protect residents and restore order.
Amotekun's intelligence network remains active across the state. The corps pledged sustained commitment to combating kidnapping and armed robbery.
