EXCLUSIVE: Bandits from North-West region invade Ondo, Ekiti forests for fresh attacks

Bandits fleeing military onslaughts in the North-West states of Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Niger states are now moving down south and settling in hideouts in Ondo and Ekiti forests, CaracalReports has learnt. 

A security source stated that the increasing attacks in Ondo State recently confirmed that the bandits were back with sophisticated weapons and a resolve to face the South West Security Network codenamed Amotekun. 

“They move from forests to forests and most of the movements are usually in the night. By nature they are nomadic. The bandits are coming into the vast Akoko region and they find the forests green and more conducive than the North where they come from. 

“This is the reason behind the attacks in Ose and Akoko South Local Government Areas of Ondo State last week. There is fear that more attacks may follow,” a source said. 

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Amotekun officials in Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti states also confirmed that they had got credible intelligence that terrorists fleeing military operations in the North-West would seek refuge in the forests of the southern states.

Amotekun personnel, therefore, said they had begun combing forests in the region for the terrorists that have fled from the North-West.

In Ekiti State, the Corps Commander of Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe (retd.), said that the agency was maintaining surveillance to prevent bandits from accessing or occupying the forests in Ekiti.

Komolafe said that Ekiti Amotekun was also in collaboration with Amotekun in neighbouring states for border patrol to keep the areas safe.

He said, “We maintain surveillance. Then we collaborate with local hunters, farmers and forestry guards so that they intimate us when they see strange faces or movements in the bush.

“Again, we have informants who volunteer information and we speak to traditional rulers to alert us whenever they see suspicious faces or individuals. We do not wait until bandits or criminals come in or strike.”