Ondo: Amotekun claims 20 okada riders robbed, killed

The Ondo State Security Network, also known as Amotekun Corps, disclosed on Wednesday that no fewer than 20 commercial motorcyclists also known as okada riders had been robbed and killed in the last three weeks across the state.

The corps, which reiterated its determination to reduce all acts of criminal activities to the barest minimum in the state, also said it had begun a 24-hour patrol to ensure adequate protection of lives and property in the state before, during and after the Christmas season.

The state Commander of the corps, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, stated this during the parade of 11 suspects arrested for various crimes on Wednesday.

Adeleye, who is also the Special Adviser to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Security Matters, stressed that the state government’s ban on commercial motorcycles from 6pm to 6am, still subsisted but would not affect motorcycles on essential duties.

He said, “A total of 20 cases of commercial motorcyclists killed and their motorcycles stolen was recorded in the last three weeks. So, it was risky to ride motorcycles in the night.

“We want to appeal to commercial motorcyclists to go and rest if they work for 12 hours so that we can identify the criminal entities. It is also no longer permitted for vehicles to ply the road without registration numbers, and all vehicles with tinted glass should obtain police permit for them.

“Dealers should use dealer numbers and not stickers because all vehicles with stickers will be impounded. These are some measures we put in place to guarantee safety of lives and property in Ondo State.”

Adeleye explained that six of the suspects, who were paraded, were arrested with locally-made weapons as they were allegedly preparing to “destabilise innocent residents and commuters in Ondo State”

“We are determined to make this act of theirs impossible and we are sending this message to them and anybody planning to foment trouble during this Yuletide, that it is not business as usual again”, the commander warned .

On the 24-hour Ember months patrol, Adeleye said his men would be deployed in all black spots that had been observed across the state, especially Akure.

“Our patrol vehicles will be in a 24-hour basis throughout this period. In collaboration with other security agencies, we are determined to reduce to the barest minimum all acts of criminal activities ranging from kidnapping, shop or house breaking.

“You will recall that last year, we were able to rescue over 100 kidnapped or robbed people, but for this year’s patrol, we are ready to do more and we thank the people and ask for more support this year,” he pledged.