IDANRE, Ondo State — Two operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as the Amotekun Corps, were arrested for allegedly stealing cocoa pods from a farm in Idanre Local Government Area.
The suspects were apprehended during a routine inspection around Gbalegi Camp after the caretaker of the farm, Friday Abbah, laid surveillance following repeated thefts on the farmland.
During the operation, the officers were caught with cocoa pods suspected to have been stolen, which were recovered as evidence.
A local resident, who gave his name as Abel, said the suspects were promptly handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at the Idanre divisional headquarters.
Confirming the arrest on Friday, Ondo Police Command spokesman Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Olayinka Ayanlade stated the arrest came after multiple complaints by farm managers about theft.
“The security operatives visited the farmland at Gbalegi Camp and discovered several empty cocoa pods. The two men are currently in custody, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation,” Ayanlade said.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among residents of Idanre, a region well-known for its cocoa production, raising questions about the involvement of security personnel in criminal activity they were assigned to prevent.
