The leadership of the Osun State Security Network, also known as the Amotekun Corps, on Sunday paraded suspects arrested in different parts of the state for robbery and rape.

Parading the suspects in Osogbo, Corps State Field Commander Amitolu Shittu said agents working on intelligence attacked a gang of 7 men at a hotel in Ile-Ife as they planned to attacking a cement warehouse in Ilesa.

Shittu, who said the suspects would be handed over to police for further investigation and prosecution, then called for inter-agency collaboration to further secure lives and property in the state.

He said: “We have to collaborate. A situation in which the police will come into our custody and take away suspects will always cause friction. I would like to commend Policevat Zone XI and the Osun Command of the Department of State Services for the assistance provided to Amotekun. All suspects will be handed over to the police for further action.

Answer questions by PUNCH Metroa robbery suspect, simply identified as Elon, a businessman residing in Lagos State, said he was called to buy peanut oil from Osun.

“The person who called me also told me that there was a shop we were going to break into Ilesa to steal cement. I told the caller I would come. When I arrived at a hotel in Ife, men from Amotekun appeared and arrested me,” Elon said.

Another suspect arrested in connection with the crime, Joseph Adekunle, however, said it was Elon who came up with the idea that they could break into a warehouse in Ilesa and steal cement.

Adekunle, a craftsman, also said that Amotekun agents, after arresting Elon, lured him to Ile-Ife where he was also apprehended.

He said: “I was arrested because we were planning to break into a warehouse and steal cement. I was in my house in Iragbiji, when Elon called me and mentioned the idea that we could break into a warehouse in Ilesa and steal some cement.

“He used to buy groundnut oil in our area. I didn’t know that Amotekun’s men were already following me when I traveled to Ife to meet Elon. I was arrested in Ife.

Also parading was a 20-year-old apprentice, Tobi Adebayo, arrested for alleged rape of a minor in Iwo.

Adebayo, who claimed the victim was his girlfriend, also said he did not know the girl was underage, adding that she had only been in his care for two days.

Copyright PUNCH.

All rights reserved. This material and any other digital content on this website may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without the prior express written permission of PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]