By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun Amotekun Corps has arrested five suspects in connection with alleged cases of theft, conspiracy, shop burglary, and fraud at different locations across the state.
The suspects, aged between 30 and 33, were arrested on Wednesday following complaints received by the Corps regarding their alleged criminal activities.
According to the Corps, the herbalist was arrested at Gbongan for allegedly conspiring with armed robbers and providing them with traditional charms intended to aid their criminal activities.
He was reportedly arrested alongside another suspect also from Gbongan, who was apprehended over an alleged shop burglary in the town. The Corps described him as a former convict who had previously been sentenced to prison for motorcycle theft.
Both suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the offences during preliminary investigations.
In a separate incident, another suspect from Modakeke, was arrested over the alleged theft of a gas cylinder and other items in the community. The Corps said he had previously been convicted of a similar offence and had served a jail term.
He allegedly admitted to the latest offence during interrogation.
The other two suspects, both 30-year-old men from Benue State residing in Iperindo, Atakumosa East Local Government Area, were arrested over alleged theft of iron rods from the local government secretariat.
The Corps alleged that one of them admitted to participating in the theft, stating that the stolen iron rods, reportedly worth between ₦50,000 and ₦100,000, were sold to scrap dealers for amounts ranging from ₦4,000 to ₦5,000.
The suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the incident during the investigation.
Confirming the arrests, the Corps Commander of Osun Amotekun Corps, High Chief Dr. Hon. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, told journalists in Osogbo that the suspects were apprehended at different locations following complaints lodged with the command.
Omoyele explained that operatives immediately swung into action after receiving the complaints, leading to the arrest of the suspects at their alleged hideouts and at the scenes of the reported offences.
He added that preliminary investigations had produced admissions from the suspects and that some of them had reportedly identified other individuals allegedly connected to the incidents.
The Corps Commander urged residents of the state to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence that could help prevent criminal activities and address potential security threats.
He emphasised the importance of public cooperation in strengthening security and maintaining peace across Osun State.
The five suspects have been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
