In a significant security operation, the Ondo State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun, has apprehended 39 individuals who allegedly fled Sokoto State and sought refuge within the forest reserves of Ondo State. This arrest, occurring on the cusp of the new year, underscores a complex and evolving security challenge linking regional conflicts to local safety in Southern Nigeria.
The State Commander of Amotekun, Mr. Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed the details in Akure while parading a total of 61 suspects arrested for various offences. He directly connected the influx to the recent U.S.-backed military strikes against ISIS-affiliated terrorists in Northern Nigeria. “They claimed they relocated into the forests due to the strike on them in the northern part of the country,” Adeleye stated, highlighting a potential ripple effect of counter-terrorism operations displacing criminal elements across the nation.
The Location: A Notorious Security Flashpoint
The arrest occurred at the Elegbeka axis in Ose Local Government Area, a region with a grim reputation. Commander Adeleye pointedly reminded the public that this was the same area where the Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi, was murdered in 2020—a crime that remains a painful landmark in the state’s security history. “Elegbeka is a long-standing black spot for criminal activities,” he noted, explaining that this reputation prompted Amotekun to establish a permanent control post inside the forest to combat persistent kidnapping and armed robbery. The suspects were not in transit but were “hibernating” deep within the forest, with their vehicles strategically parked at a distance from their hideout, suggesting planned, covert occupation.
Broader Context: Forest Governance and Suspicious Migration
This incident brings to the forefront the Ondo State government’s strict policy on forest occupancy. “For anyone to stay in our forest areas, the government has made it clear that such a person must obtain permits,” Adeleye emphasized. The sudden, unpermitted arrival of a large group from a conflict zone hundreds of kilometers away naturally raises alarm. It presents a critical case study in how inter-regional instability can strain local security architectures, forcing regional forces like Amotekun to act as a frontline defense against external criminal spillover.
The Larger Security Sweep: Ember Month Operations
The arrest of the 39 suspects was part of Amotekun’s broader “ember-month” security operations, a period traditionally associated with increased criminal activity due to holiday travels and commerce. Adeleye provided a breakdown of the 100 total arrests made during this patrol period:
- 50 suspects for general breach of law and order.
- 6 suspects for kidnapping-related offences.
- 3 suspects for rape and gender-based violence.
- 2 suspects for violating the state’s anti-open grazing law.
This data paints a picture of a multi-faceted security campaign addressing everything from communal violence to sexually based offences. The commander stated that profiling of the 39 individuals from Sokoto is ongoing, and “those found with incriminating materials will surely be prosecuted.”
Analysis: Implications for National Security Strategy
This event is more than a local police bulletin; it is a microcosm of a national security dilemma. It demonstrates how kinetic military action in one region can inadvertently displace threats to another, testing the cohesion and intelligence-sharing capabilities of Nigeria’s diverse security formations. The proactive stance of the Amotekun Corps in establishing forest posts and intercepting this group highlights the increasing importance of sub-national, regionally-tailored security initiatives in complementing federal efforts. The situation calls for enhanced inter-agency collaboration and a national strategy that anticipates and manages the secondary displacement of criminal elements following major counter-insurgency strikes.
Reported by Muftau Ogunyemi for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Ayodeji Alabi.
Source: NAN News
