The Ondo State Security Network Agency has arrested four suspected terrorists linked to a string of violent crimes across the state over the past eight months, marking a significant breakthrough in efforts to restore peace and security. The suspects, allegedly part of a criminal gang involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, and property destruction, were captured during an intelligence-led operation coordinated with other security agencies. State Commander Adetunji Adeleye revealed the arrests during a press briefing in Akure, confirming that the group’s leader, who received instructions from outside the state, was among those apprehended. The operation also dismantled the gang’s logistics and supply chain, with additional members picked up during the crackdown.
Adeleye stated that the suspects confessed to being responsible for the instability witnessed in Ondo State in recent months, directly linking their activities to the surge in insecurity. “They confessed to having commenced the operation, and the result of their operation is the instability that the state witnessed in the last eight months,” he said. Due to the sensitive nature of the case, the suspects have been handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS) for further interrogation and possible prosecution. The commander declined to provide further operational details, citing ongoing investigations by the DSS.
The arrests are part of broader efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts in Ondo State’s extensive forest belts, which span six local government areas and border three neighbouring states. These forested regions have long posed significant security challenges, serving as sanctuaries for criminal elements. To address this, a joint security operation involving the police, military, DSS, Amotekun, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has intensified clearance activities in these areas. The strategy has shifted from mere arrests to prosecution, with case files for about 142 suspects completed and forwarded to courts within the last month.
These suspects face charges including kidnapping, anti-grazing offences, communal clashes between farmers and herders, and cult-related crimes. Additionally, 64 other suspects are currently undergoing profiling and will either be prosecuted or referred to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms based on investigation outcomes. The Ondo State Security Network Agency continues to emphasize its commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security across the state. As the investigation unfolds, the government remains focused on dismantling criminal networks and restoring public confidence in the region’s safety.
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