The Ondo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun Corps, has intercepted trucks conveying about 151 Northerners.
This came less than 72 hours after Amotekun intercepted a truck loaded with 147 northern youths along University of Ibadan-Bodija road in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Those arrested in Ondo State were intercepted on Thursday around the Sango area of Akure-Ado Expressway by Amotekun Corps who were on ‘stop and search’ following reports that bandits from the North had started moving towards the South-West in large number.
The suspects included five women, reportedly found hidden behind bags of beans in the trucks.
The state Commander of Amotekun, Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed to journalists that the suspects were concealed behind bags of rice inside the truck.
Adeleye said, “We intercepted two trucks conveying 151 people who were cleverly concealed behind bags of rice and beans in a way that one may not suspect these number of people were tucked in the trucks.
“Upon interception, we asked of their destinations. Some said Akure, while others said Osogbo in Osun State. Although, we have not completed profiling them, as none of them has an idea of what they were going to do or their mission.
“All they were able to tell us is that they entered the vehicle and came to Ondo State.
“While searching the vehicles, we saw 10 bikes and various dangerous charms. If we check and do not find anything on them as long as they don’t have anybody ready to take custody of them in Ondo state, we will send them back to their various states.”
The suspects were said to have been coming from Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa States heading to South-West states.
“Some of them claimed they are from Katsina, Kano, and Jigawa States, but on how they came together, they said they couldn’t figure it out, but that they were conveyed by the truck down to Akure in Ondo State.
“This, however, is not a good sign, following the security warning in the South-West states.
“While respecting their rights as Nigerians, yet, we are not sure of what they are here for. We still feel that while traveling, anyone should have a mission and destination at where he or she is going to,” he said.