Commander, Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, yesterday disclosed that within the last three weeks, there has been a surge in violent attacks on commercial motorcyclists across the state.

Adetunji, who revealed this while parading some suspected criminals at the headquarters of Amotekun in Akure, the state capital, stated that no fewer than 20 deaths of Okada rider as well as thefts of motorcycles were recorded.

According to the Amotekun Commander, most of the attacks occurred at night, hence the move by operatives of the security outfit to begin the enforcement of the ban on the operations of commercial motorcyclists from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. in order to curb the menace.

The Amotekun boss also stressed that unregistered vehicles as well as tinted vehicles without police permits will no longer be permitted to ply the roads within the state.

He said: “The ban from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for use of Okada and 6 p.m. to overnight remains in force as put in place by the government for Okada. Vehicles and motorcycles that are not on essential duties are not to ply the streets, except you’re on essential duties.

“In the last three weeks, we have recorded over 20 Okada riders being killed and motorcycles being taken away; it is even a risk for them trying to ride Okada in the night.

“We want to appeal to Okada riders: if you have worked for 12 hours, please go and rest so that we can identify criminals more easily.

“It is no longer permitted for vehicles to ply the road without registration numbers, and all vehicles with tinted glass should obtain a police permit for the tinted number.

Adetunji equally reiterated the determination of Amotekun to reduce all acts of criminal activities to the barest minimum during the yuletide season, stressing that the corps had commenced 2023/2024 “Ember Border Patrol.”

He added that six suspects who were plotting to cause mayhem in the state during the Yuletide were arrested by Amotekun operatives after they were caught with locally-made guns.

“We are determined to make this act of theirs impossible, and we are sending this message to them and anybody planning to cause trouble during this yuletide that it is not business as usual again.

“Our men will be deployed in all blackspots that have been observed in Ondo State, especially Akure. Our patrol vehicles will be on a 24-hour basis throughout this period.

“You will recall that last year, we were able to rescue over 100 kidnapped or robbed people, but for this year’s patrol, we are ready to do more, and we thank the people and ask for more support this year.” (The Guardian)

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