Amotekun Corps arrests 39 suspected militants in Ondo State after fleeing Sokoto following US-led airstrikes on terrorist camps.

Amotekun Corps arrests 39 suspected militants in Ondo State after fleeing Sokoto following US-led airstrikes on terrorist camps.

Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria — The Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested 39 individuals suspected of being militants who fled northwest Nigeria following the December 25 US-coordinated precision airstrikes on terrorist camps in Sokoto State. The arrests were carried out during intensified patrols in forest areas across the state, particularly in the northern senatorial district bordering Kwara and Kogi states. Amotekun Commander Adetunji Adeleye confirmed that the suspects, mostly young males of northern origin, were apprehended while attempting to blend into local communities or hide in remote bush areas. According to Adeleye, the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that survivors of the airstrikes had dispersed southward, with some groups moving through multiple states in search of safe havens. The suspects were found in possession of items including prayer mats, charms, and small amounts of cash, but no firearms were recovered during the arrests. The detainees have been handed over to the Ondo State Police Command for further investigation and profiling. Authorities are working to verify their identities and determine any links to Islamic State-affiliated groups targeted in the recent strikes. The December 25 operation, jointly executed with Nigerian forces, struck camps used by militants linked to transnational terrorist networks operating in the northwest. Nigerian military officials earlier stated that enhanced surveillance was in place to track displaced fighters and prevent regrouping. Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa commended Amotekun and security agencies for their vigilance, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation in reporting suspicious activities. Residents in forest-adjacent communities have been urged to remain alert during the festive period. Security operations continue across southwest states as part of broader efforts to maintain stability and counter potential threats.