September 12, 2024
By Samuel Ogunsona
The Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun, has uncovered a disturbing trend of armed robbers killing commercial motorcycle riders in the state and selling their bikes outside of Ondo.
The Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye revealed this information while parading 21 suspects arrested for various crimes.
According to Adeleye, the robbers’ modus operandi involves attacking riders from behind, fatally smashing their heads, and then stealing their motorcycles.
“They use guns, heavy objects, and rather than mount the Okada, they ride beside the Okada and hit him on the head.
“So he falls, and they pick up the bike. Within minutes, the bike is dismembered, put in a sack and taken out of the state.
“We were able to break a syndicate that devised another means of dispossessing innocent okada riders of their okada. Some of them have been killed. We were able to apprehend the masterminds from Benin, and a serious manhunt is ongoing for the accomplice.”p
The corps had previously warned the public to exercise caution when using Okada services, particularly at night, as riders wearing hoods are often linked to criminal activity.
“You will observe the upsurge of criminal activities, especially kidnapping, along the borders of Ose, Edo, Akoko and Kogi axis,” he said.
“Apart from the governor’s directive that Amotekun rangers should dominate and flush criminals from forests, we have devised security tactics to bring about relative peace at the border local governments of Edo-Ondo, Edo-Kogi. The results will be visible within a few days.”
