Men of the Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun said it had foiled a robbery operation in Ode Irele, in Irele local government area of the state, and neutralised one of the suspected criminals.
The State Commander of the Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this during the parade of some 37 criminals arrested in the state.
He disclosed that his men were able to foil the robbery operation following some intelligent reports from members of the public.
Adeleye explained that the seven-man gang who came from Sapele, in Delta State had concluded all plans to rob the bank before men of Amotekun corps swooped on them.
He added that the suspected criminals also planned to kidnap a businessman in the area.
He however, said six of the suspected armed robbers took to their heels while one of them, who accommodated the suspected criminals was apprehended while trying to escape from the scene of the incident.
The Amotekun Commander stated that “the seven-man operative came from Sapele, Delta State for kidnapping and robbery of a bank in Irele LGA.
“Six of them are at large, but we were able to apprehend the mastermind who accommodated the robbers.
“We were equally able to get to the root of the target that they intended to kidnap to give the officers of Amotekun the feeling that it was mere robbery, whereas it was dual operation.
“The manhunt for the leader who escaped to Delta State is on. We are liaising with relevant govt and security authorities to assist us in apprehending this runaway gang.
“The Intel available to us shows that they intend to rob three banks and kidnap the MD of a supermarket. Investigations showed that they liaised with a staff of the supermarket who declined to join the group”
Speaking on the arrest of 36 others who were arrested for various offenses, Adeleye, said “Amongst them are those who specialise in vandalism of critical govt assets.
“They went with a trailer to load pipes meant for World Bank-financed water project and successfully offloaded it and our operatives followed them and apprehended them where they were offloaded at a different location.
“This is in furtherance of the determination that our citizens live peacefully in Ondo State. We appeal to the public to continue to support us with timely and actionable information.
“We pledge to secure lives and properties in conjunction with other security agencies in Ondo State”.