The Ondo State Security Network (Amotekun) assessed the security situation in the state, saying that the tough economic situation has changed dimensions leading to more burglary and theft activities.

As 27 suspects were paraded at the agency headquarters in Akure, the state capital on Tuesday, the Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, said there had however been a decline in kidnapping cases.

He said there were about three cases of kidnapping in border communities between Ondo and Kogi, Edo and Ekiti states.

“What the security situation as listed tells us is that as a result of the tough economic situation we have in the country, there are more cases of house breaking,” Adeleye said.

Just a month ago, a man, wife and children were paraded by Amotekun for allegedly breaking into a shop and stealing bags of rice in Akure.

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The prices of food and other goods have become unaffordable with the price increases at the petrol pump resulting from the end of the subsidy regime.

The rate of inflation was also blamed on the high exchange rates which greatly reduced the value of the naira.

The suspects paraded on Tuesday were those arrested for various crimes in the past two weeks in the state.

Parade

One of those who marched was a 30-year-old man who was allegedly involved in malicious damage, cultism and attempted murder of law enforcement officers.

The commander reported: “We have a 42-year-old man who attacked the Amotekun officers in an attempt to cover up his nefarious activity under the name of Gbenro.

“We equally have Samuel Peter, a 21-year-old who engaged in attempted murder, and an Akimade Friday, who murdered and cyber-murdered a 65-year-old man. This is a 20-year-old boy.

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“Similarly, we have narrowed down one Segun Owolabi, 20 years old, who engages in motorcycle theft and robbery to dispossess rightful owners.

“We have a gang that specializes in breaking into houses, especially when the owners of such houses are not in their homes. We have Toba, Pelumi, Ogumade, Oriade, whose age range varies between 22 and 25 years.

“We equally have Shegwo Yusuf who engages in malicious damage to household properties.”

Herdsmen/farmers crisis

The corps commander added that there were five issues of illegal grazing even though the issues were resolved amicably between the affected farmers and the herdsmen.

He said the management of the herdsmen had agreed to pay compensation while also paying the fines for the violation.

However, Mr. Adeleye noted that overall, Ondo State is peaceful and community friendly, urging residents to do business while urging farmers to go to their farms.

He said Amotekun Rangers are located in forest areas to prevent any attack from miscreants.

“I want to assure the people of Ondo State that the Ondo State Security Network Agency will continue to employ criminals, both in the city and in the forest, to ensure that people can sleep with their two eyes closed in their homes , farmers can go. to their farms and commuters can travel without fear, especially as the Yuletide period approaches,” he added.