South-West Security Network, ‘Amotekun’ Corps has deployed over 2,000 operatives to tackle banditry and criminal activities in forests across the region.
The initiative targets notorious hotspots in Ogun and Osun states, which have recruited 1,000 personnel each. Oyo State, which added 480 operatives in October 2024, is also intensifying efforts to secure its territories.
The targeted operation is to address escalating reports of kidnappings and criminal activities, particularly by bandits migrating from the Sahel region. State commanders confirmed plans for further recruitment to fortify the network’s capacity and ensure the safety of residents in the South-West.
This surge in security efforts comes against the backdrop of a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which revealed alarming crime trends.
Recall that between May 2023 and April 2024, Nigerians paid a staggering N2.23 trillion as ransom to kidnappers, with an estimated 51.89 million crime incidents recorded nationwide during the period.
