Reports claiming overwhelming of Amotekun by herdsmen untrue — Commander

Amotekun Corps in Ondo State has refuted a report that herdsmen have overpowered the corps in some parts of the state.

The Ondo State Security Network Agency also described the report as untrue and a mere rumour.

It was reported that some residents of the state had fled their communities following incessant attacks by criminal herdsmen, while the Amotekun Corps had been overwhelmed by the suspected criminals and were powerless to protect the victims.

The State Commander of the corps, Adetunji Adeleye, on Saturday, reacted that his men were on ground and had been up and doing in the protection of lives and property of the people of the state, particularly during the just concluded festive season.

According to him, many of the criminal herdsmen had been arrested and prosecuted in court according to the law.

"It is unfortunate that this rumour is spreading, there is nowhere in the state where the residents have fled as a result of attacks of the herdsmen. The herdsmen have never and will never overwhelm us. I can tell you that the four local governments in Akoko land are peaceful as I’m talking to you.

“No single robbery, no single kidnapping or robbery in Akokoland. We are currently on 24 hours, seven days ember month patrol with huge success story. I want to appeal to our people to give us useful reports about the activities of the hoodlums in any part of the state.”

It was reported that some villagers in Ondo State had begun to flee their homes, following incessant attacks suffered from the herdsmen-cum-bandits’ invasion.

“This has become the fate of residents in some villages in the state after long time reported cases of attacks, kidnappings and sometimes – killings, which have continued to disrupt business activities, undermine food security, displace a large number of inhabitants, and also cast heavy doubt on the safety of lives and property."