The Ondo State Security Network, Amotekun, has expelled at least 114 individuals, mostly from northern Nigeria, for illegally intruding the state’s forests.
Confirming this action on Sunday, the State Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, said the individuals were transported in two trucks and were set to be distributed across forested regions, including Ore and Ofoso.
Adeleye revealed that a security crackdown had been ongoing for weeks to curb illegal forest encampments in the State, noting that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had directed the evacuation of individuals who could not provide a valid reason for being in the deep forests.
“We recovered several locally made weapons from them. Their strategy is to hide in the forests, launch attacks, and then retreat.
“Except for three of them, none knew where they were going—they were simply sent to the forests to await instructions from their handlers,” Adeleye said.
He stated that while freedom of movement is a right, it must be exercised for legitimate purposes.
Reacting to the development, Bala Umaru, leader of the Hausa community in Ondo, thanked the government for prioritizing security and ensuring the safe return of the individuals to their home states.