A notorious motorcycle thief, Michael Ojo, has revealed that the lucrative nature of his illegal activities kept him entrenched in the business, despite multiple convictions.
Ojo, along with 26 other suspected criminals, was recently paraded by the Ondo State Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, for crimes including theft, armed robbery, and violation of anti-grazing laws.
Ojo admitted to having lost count of the number of motorcycles he has stolen over the years, describing them as easier and more profitable to steal compared to other vehicles. He disassembled the stolen motorcycles and sold the parts for around ₦30,000 in various parts of Nigeria.
During the parade, Amotekun Commander Akogun Adetunji Adeleye disclosed that the suspects were apprehended with the assistance of other security agencies. He noted that the suspects engaged in various criminal activities within and outside the state, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and theft.
Adeleye highlighted Ojo’s extensive history of motorcycle theft, which spanned five years, with a marked increase in the past year due to rising demand and costs of motorcycles. Ojo and other suspects operated in locations such as Akure, Uso, and Ogbese, where they sold the stolen motorcycles at cheap rates.
Among the paraded suspects were Oladimeji and Imole, who focused on stealing motorcycles from parking spots, and Usman Shehu, Temidayo, and Pelemo, who were involved in kidnapping activities around the Ikakumo-Akoko area. Adeleye also mentioned the arrest of a notorious criminal, Akerele Ibrahim, who had been evading capture but was finally caught after threatening a farmer in the Akoko area.
The security chief emphasized that Amotekun’s continuous efforts have significantly improved the security situation in Ondo State. Many of the apprehended suspects, especially those involved in shop thefts and stealing household items, would be dealt with using alternative dispute resolution methods, where possible.
