Amotekun operatives in Ekiti State have foiled a suspected infiltration attempt after intercepting a group of men believed to be fleeing heightened security operations in a neighbouring state.
The Ekiti State Security Network Agency, popularly known as the Amotekun Corps, confirmed that 16 individuals were apprehended following unusual movements reported by residents of a rural settlement.
According to the Corps, concern spread across the Gede Farm area of Isan-Ekiti when locals noticed several unfamiliar faces roaming the community alongside large herds of cattle, triggering fear and disrupting normal activities.
“The pattern of movement raised immediate red flags, prompting residents to alert our operatives,” the agency said in a statement released by its Director of Information, Mr. Adeleye.
Moreover, the Oye Local Government Command swiftly mobilised additional Amotekun units from nearby areas, leading to a coordinated operation that resulted in the suspects being intercepted before they could advance further into the state.
Preliminary findings indicated that the suspects allegedly crossed from Kwara State, reportedly escaping intensified crackdowns on banditry.
During questioning, some of them allegedly admitted to involvement in cattle rustling activities.
“The intelligence available to us suggests that several of the cows recovered were stolen from communities in Kwara State,” the statement added, noting that the investigation was still ongoing.
Items recovered during the operation included cash, seven Tecno mobile phones, assorted charms, three identity cards linked to the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, and a number of cows.
Subsequently, the suspects and all recovered exhibits were transferred to the Rapid Response Squad of the Ekiti State Police Command in Ado-Ekiti for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The Amotekun Corps reiterated its commitment to border surveillance and community-based intelligence, stressing that Ekiti State would not serve as a refuge for criminal elements.