We’re now after criminal godfathers in Ondo – Amotekun

The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Codenamed Amotekun Corps, says it is after criminal godfathers as part of efforts at combating crime in the state.

Mr Adetunji Adeleye, State Commander of Amotekun Corps, who said this while addressing newsmen on Tuesday in Akure, explained that the corps had gone beyond arresting criminals alone.

Adeleye, who disclosed that 28 suspects were arrested for different crimes in the state, said the criminal world was evolving, hence, Amotekun would also evolve.

“Amotekun always strives to be ahead of them. We are now after their godfathers and backbones, and the reason is simple.

“We don’t want to relent. Hence, our fight is not against the criminals alone, but against their sponsors.

“So, we are saying that until we uproot them, we won’t have total peace.

“The chain of criminality has to be broken and uprooted. We need the socio-economic growth of the state to continue to increase.

“By the intervention of Amotekun, the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of Ondo State increased by over 500 per cent in 2023.

“The directive of Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa is to create an enabling environment for investors to bombard the state.

“The security architecture of Ondo State is firm, and the best criminals can do is to run away from this state. The joint patrol team in some parts of the state is still ongoing,” he stated.

The commander also said Amotekun had dominated the forests, which was no longer a safe place for criminals, saying farmers can go back to their farms.

“What we are saying is that when you see something, quickly say something and let us intervene because if you delay, the delay might be dangerous,” he said.