Operatives of the Ondo Command of the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, have apprehended a family of seven notorious for breaking into shops and houses to steal food items.
At the corps’ headquarters in Akure, Ondo State’s capital, Amotekun commander Adetunji Adeleye revealed that the suspects—John Avor, 42, and his wife, Mary Avor, 38—were arrested for allegedly stealing bags of rice from an orphanage in Shagari village.
Commander Adeleye explained that Mr. Avor, along with his wife and children, was detained following intelligence reports linking the family to the theft from the orphanage.
“We have a family that specialises in breaking into houses comprising of the husband, the wife, and the children; family of robbers,” said Mr Adeleye, who noted that three of the children were minors between 12 and 15 years old.
“We are parading the father, mother, and two boys among the five children because three of them are minors. They stole the bags of rice from an orphanage at Shagari village in Akure,” he said.
He mentioned that another building in the area, owned by a pensioner and filled with bags of rice, was also allegedly emptied overnight by the same family.
During an interview with reporters, Mr. Avor, who identified himself as a gateman, claimed the devil was responsible for his actions.
He further alleged that some children from the orphanage assisted him in stealing the bag of rice, with the understanding that he would sell it and use the money to buy items for them.
READ ALSO: Ondo Guber: I Don’t Have Preferred Candidate—REC Says After Youths Protest
In the meantime, security operatives successfully thwarted five kidnapping attempts and rescued nine victims across the state over the course of a week.
The commander revealed that Amotekun Rangers, a specialized unit responsible for monitoring the state’s forest reserves, combed the notorious Elegbeka forest—known for kidnappings—and apprehended five suspects.
He added that while one kidnapping suspect was arrested, other members of the gang remain at large after collecting a ransom of N2 million.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Usman Abubakar, was arrested in Igbo Oba, Owo, and confessed to receiving the ransom payment.
“The Amotekun Rangers launched by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently had penetrated the forest, and substantially within the week under review, we were able to resist five kidnapping attempts. We were able to rescue nine victims. That is to say that the kidnap attempt failed.
“The notorious portion of Elegbeka had been bombarded, and we are glad to say that the Amotekun rangers had infiltrated the entire forest around Elegbeka to guarantee the safety of commuters’ lives and the property of the people of the area.
“In the next few weeks, we are going to dominate Ala, Ago-Oyibo, Ogbese, Jugbere and other forests,” said the commander.
Mr. Adeleye reassured the state’s residents and investors of a secure environment, while advising caution against purchasing second-hand items without verifying authentic receipts.
(Peoplesgazette)
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
