Startling revelations emerged on Monday as a 16-year-old armed robbery suspect, Sunday Ojo, confessed to being involved in a staggering count of more than 40 criminal operations across Ondo State. The young culprit, who adopted the alias “Oyenusi” after the infamous armed robber, shared his experiences during an interview with journalists. He was apprehended by the Ondo State Security Network Agency, commonly referred to as Amotekun Corps, in collaboration with his fellow suspects: 13-year-old Timileyin Femi, aka “Anini,” and 16-year-old Matti Lowe, aka “Osunbo.”
Addressing the media, Ojo acknowledged, “I have lost count of the robbery operations I have been involved in. But they can’t be fewer than 40. I was overwhelmed by an evil spirit that motivates me to steal.”
The state Commander of Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, revealed that Ojo was a repeat offender in the realm of armed robbery. He recounted, “We have arrested a juvenile robber, who adopted the name of notorious Nigerian armed robber, Oyenusi. We re-arrested the young boy we arrested three years ago for illegal possession of firearms and robbery and took him to a juvenile home. At that time, he was 13 years old. The best we could do was to hand him over to a juvenile facility in hopes of rehabilitation. Now, he is 16. This time, he broke into several shops and removed items. Between then and now, he confessed that he had engaged in over 40 housebreaking activities.”
A total of 31 suspects were paraded by the corps, all of whom were apprehended for alleged participation in various criminal activities within the state. The accused individuals were linked to crimes such as kidnapping, theft, and burglary, and were apprehended across different locations within Ondo State.
One of the suspects, Abdullahi Adamu, hailing from Katsina State, disclosed the personal tragedy that led him to criminal activity. After his father’s death at the hands of armed robbers, he became ensnared in the clutches of a kidnapping gang. The 31-year-old was implicated in the abduction of a farmer in Akunnu Akoko, within the Akoko North-East Local Government Area of the state. Through an interpreter, he recounted his involvement, stating, “This is my first time engaging in kidnapping. I was introduced to the crime by the leader of the gang who has since been killed. I joined the gang after my father was killed by armed robbers some months ago.”
Adeleye, resolute in his commitment to maintaining law and order, emphasized, “We have several criminals that have been terrorizing different parts of Ondo State. We have apprehended 31 suspected criminals across Ondo within a week, spanning all 18 local government areas of the state. Our vigilance remains unwavering until criminal elements are eradicated from our state.”
