Hardship fuels rise in theft, other petty crimes in Ondo

Ondo State Security Network Evaluating the security situation in the state, (Amotekun) said that the difficult economic situation has changed dimensions and this has led to more theft activities.

But there has been a decline in kidnapping cases, the Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, said on Tuesday, as he paraded 27 suspects around the agency’s headquarters in Akure, the state capital.

He said there had been about three kidnappings in the border communities between Ondo and Kogi, Edo and Ekiti states.

“The improved security situation tells us that there are more cases of home burglaries as a result of the difficult economic situation in the country,” Mr Adeleye said.

About a month ago, a man, his wife and children were taken for a walk by Amotekun after he allegedly broke into a shop in Akure and stole a sack of rice.

Difficulty

With the end of the subsidy regime, the prices of food and other goods became unaffordable due to the increases in fuel pump prices.

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

The suspects on display Tuesday were people arrested in the state for various crimes over the past two weeks.

Parade

One of those paraded was a 30-year-old man who allegedly committed malicious harm, cultism and attempted murder of law enforcement officers.

The Commander stated: “We have a 42-year-old man who attacked Amotekun officers in an attempt to hide his nefarious activities under the name Gbenro.

“Likewise there is 21-year-old Samuel Peter, who attempted murder, and Akimade Friday, who clearly murdered a 65-year-old man. This is a 20 year old kid.

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“Similarly, we narrowed down 20-year-old Segun Owolabi, who was involved in stealing motorcycles and robbery to take away the rightful owners.

“We have a gang that specializes in robbing houses, especially when the owners of such houses are not at home. We have Toba, Pelumi, Ogumade, Oriade whose age range is between 22 and 25.

“Similarly there is Shegwo Yusuf who maliciously damaged household goods.”

Shepherd/farmer crisis

The corps commander added that there were five problems related to illegal grazing, although the issues were resolved amicably between the affected farmers and herders.

He said the herder leaders agreed to pay compensation and also agreed to pay fines for the violation.

Mr. Adeleye, however, noted that Ondo State was generally peaceful and community-friendly, encouraging residents to do business while urging farmers to go to their farms.

He said Amotekun Rangers are present in forest areas to prevent attacks from miscreants.

“I want to reassure the residents of Ondo State that the Ondo State Security Network Agency will continue to engage criminals both in town and in the bush to ensure that people can sleep with both eyes closed at home, farmers can go to their farms and commuters without fear, especially as the Christmas season approaches.” “They will be able to travel,” he added.