Borokini Ayodeji, a 25-year-old man accused of being part of a cult, has revealed that he turned to theft out of desperation caused by hunger and a lack of family support.
Ayodeji was apprehended and presented by the Ondo State security agency known as Amotekun in Akure. He expressed his frustration at being abandoned, which led him to steal to survive.
In a conversation following his arrest, Ayodeji acknowledged his affiliation with the Eiye confraternity and admitted to stealing from a government general hospital in Akure due to his dire circumstances. Although he is a trained tailor, he explained that poverty and the absence of support to start his tailoring business pushed him towards crime.
In addition to Ayodeji, a 16-year-old secondary school student (name withheld) was also presented by Amotekun after confessing to the rape of a 24-year-old neighbor at knifepoint. The young man stated that the attack was unprovoked and expressed deep remorse for his actions. “I don’t know what came over me. I regret my actions,” he said during the interview.
While showcasing the suspects, Amotekun’s state commander, Adetunji Adeleye, announced the apprehension of 29 individuals, with an additional seven under investigation, for a range of offenses including rape, burglary, and attempted murder.
Adeleye attributed these arrests to enhanced patrols and intelligence operations across the state. He reassured the public of the Corps’ dedication to maintaining peace and combating crime, particularly during the festive season.
He commented, “Among those apprehended is a notorious member of a vehicle and motorcycle theft syndicate, recognized for dismantling stolen vehicles and selling them as scrap outside the state. Additionally, we caught a repeat offender who had been jailed twice in the last three years, but resumed his burglary activities within just two weeks of his release.”
To ensure public safety during the holiday season, Adeleye revealed that 1,200 personnel have been deployed across all 18 local government areas in the state, along with regular patrols and show-of-force operations.
