Ondo State Security Network code-named Amotekun Corps has raised the alarm over influx of what it termed illegal herdsmen into the state through the borders of Edo and Kogi states.
It, however, said only registered herders would be allowed to operate in the state, while those that refused to register would be asked to leave.
Commander of Ondo Amotekun and Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Security Matters, Adetunji Adeleye, spoke in Akure while parading 31 suspects arrested for cases during the Easter and Id-el-fitri patrol.
The suspects were arrested for offences ranging from rape to illegal possession of firearms, ritual, arson and stealing.
Adetunji said the herders entered the state in trucks with loads, but they refused the joint security patrol team to search them
“Only herdsmen who registered with the state government will be allowed in the state. The illegal ones should stay away or face the full wrath of the law”.
The Ondo Amotekun Commander, who assured members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the state of safety, said the crisis in Ikare-Akoko had been checkmated and handled professionally.
He said the recent crisis that broke out in Ikare-Akoko, host community of the NYSC orientation camp, had been curtailed and security beefed up.
Adetunji said two of the three persons kidnapped along Igoba/Iju road, had been released, while efforts to rescue the remaining persons were at an advanced stage.
“We deployed over 1,000 Amotekun Corps to complement the efforts of the mother security agencies which included; the Army, police, the NSCDC and the DSS with a view towards ensuring that the state is crime-free.
” The security situation of the State now, is that which anyone can come and transact business without fear of molestation..
” As a result of a very large turnout of arrested criminals being prosecuted by officers and legal officers of the state Director of Public Prosecution in conjunction with officers of Amotekun Corps, the government had to build a separate Court to assist the Judiciary in the quick dispensation of justice.
“As we talk, 100 of such criminals have been treated according to the law of the land in the various Courts in the state”.”