By John Dike, Osogbo
Amotekun Corps in Osun State has arrested three suspected hoodlums and recovered dangerous weapons, substances suspected to be hard drugs, quantities of marijuana, bullets and an undisclosed amount of money during an operation in Ede.
They were arrested following intelligence on the activities of suspected armed robbers allegedly operating in Ede and its environs.
Corps Commander, High Chief Dr. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, disclosed this on Tuesday while parading the suspects at the Corps headquarters in Powerline, Osogbo.
According to him, the operation followed a distress call and credible intelligence received by the Corps concerning suspected criminal activities around an identified location in Ede.
He said operatives commenced discreet surveillance of the location and maintained close monitoring until sufficient intelligence was gathered to warrant an operation.
The Corps Commander explained that the area had been under surveillance even before the recent governorship election as part of the Corps’ broader strategy to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the election period to disrupt peace and security in the state.
“Following the successful conclusion of our surveillance operation, our men moved in on the suspected hideout in Ede,” he stated.
He said the hideout was thoroughly searched during the operation, leading to the recovery of several dangerous weapons allegedly linked to the criminal activities under investigation.
Omoyele described the recovery as a significant development in the Corps’ ongoing efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and prevent dangerous weapons from being used to threaten the lives and property of residents.
He added that operatives also recovered substances suspected to be hard drugs, quantities of marijuana, bullets and money from the suspects…
The Corps Commander said the recovered items would form part of the evidence in the ongoing investigation into the activities of the suspects.
The three suspects were aged between 24 and 25.
Omoyele stated that the suspects remained in the custody of the Corps and would undergo further investigation before being handed over to the appropriate authorities for necessary legal action.
He stressed that the operation was part of the sustained efforts of the Amotekun Corps to strengthen security across Osun State and prevent criminal elements from threatening the peace enjoyed by residents.
The Corps Commander commended the operatives involved in the operation for their vigilance, professionalism and commitment to duty.
He also praised members of the public for providing credible information to security agencies, describing public cooperation as critical to the prevention and detection of criminal activities.
Omoyele urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities to security agencies.
“The Osun Amotekun Corps remains resolute in its mandate to protect the people and maintain peace and security in Osun State,” he said.
He assured residents that the Corps would continue to collaborate with other security agencies and members of the public to identify and apprehend individuals suspected of threatening the peace and security of the state.
He further appealed to residents to sustain their cooperation with security agencies by providing timely and credible information capable of assisting in preventing crime and protecting lives and property across the state.
