The Ondo State Security Network Agency, commonly known as the Amotekun Corps, has arrested 21 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in various criminal activities across the state.
The suspects, who are reportedly nationals from neighbouring West African countries, were apprehended following intelligence reports regarding their suspicious movements and business operations. The security agency described the presence of these individuals and their alleged activities as a disturbing trend for the state’s security architecture.
According to the agency, the apprehended individuals had been operating under the guise of mobile phone sellers and repair technicians. This method was allegedly used to blend into the local economy while carrying out their suspected illicit activities.
Modus operandi and security concerns
The arrest of the 21 foreign nationals by the Amotekun Corps has raised concerns regarding the monitoring of non-nationals engaged in informal trades within Ondo State. Security operatives noted that the suspects used their purported phone repair businesses as a cover to establish a presence and evade detection by local authorities.
The Amotekun Corps, which was established to bolster regional security and combat crimes such as banditry and kidnapping, has intensified its surveillance of commercial hubs and informal settlements. The agency’s findings suggest that the suspects’ choice of trade—mobile phone maintenance—allowed them to interact frequently with members of the public, providing a potential avenue for various forms of fraud or theft.
While the specific types of crimes committed by the suspects are still being investigated, the agency has emphasised the need for increased vigilance among local residents and business owners. The incident has also prompted calls for stricter verification of the residency and business permits of foreign nationals operating within the state.
The suspects are currently in custody, and the agency is expected to hand them over to the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and legal processing. Authorities are yet to release a formal timeline for the commencement of court proceedings.
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