Couple Arrested For ‘Stealing’ Rice From Orphanage Home In Ondo

Operatives of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps have arrested a couple for allegedly breaking into an orphanage and stealing bags of rice and various food supplies.

While parading the suspects on Friday, the Ondo Amotekun Corps Commander, Adetunji Adeleye, noted that his men arrested the couple following intelligence reports concerning their illicit activities.

John Avor, aged 42, and his wife, Mary Avor, aged 38, were taken into custody along with their three young children after the purported burglary at the orphanage located in the Shagari area of Akure, the state capital.

According to Adeleye, Avor and his wife entered the orphanage under the cover of darkness to commit the theft of the rice bags.

Adeleye further noted that a shop owned by a local pensioner, which was filled with bags of rice, was reportedly cleared out by the family overnight.

The corps commander indicated that the suspects have a history of repeated burglaries, targeting residences and shops to steal essential food items, and mentioned that they had a ‘ready buyer’ for the stolen goods.

“We have a family that specialises in breaking into houses comprising the husband, the wife, and the children. They are family of thieves.

“We equally have three minors, which belong to the family. They are aged 12 and 15. But, for obvious reasons, we are not going to parade the minors. They stole the bags of rice from an orphanage at Shagari Village in Akure,” Adeleye added.

Avor, who identified himself as a gateman, attributed his actions to the devil’s influence while addressing reporters.

In addition, over twenty other individuals were presented for various offences and crimes.

In its commitment to eradicating criminal activities in the state, particularly those related to kidnapping, the Amotekun Corps Commander revealed that the Amotekun Rangers, a specialized unit focused on monitoring the state’s forest reserves, conducted a thorough search of the Elegbeka forest, known for its kidnapping incidents, resulting in the apprehension of five suspects.

He further stated that the Amotekun Rangers captured one member of a kidnapping gang, while the remaining gang members are still at large after having received a ransom of ₦2 million.

Adeleye said: “The kidnap suspect we have is a 28-year-old Usman Abubakar that was arrested in Igbo Oba, Owo.

“He confirmed collecting N2 million from the suspect, and he told us how they shared it, and he told us how to get to the root of their godfathers.

“The Amotekun Rangers launched by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa recently penetrated the forest, and substantially within the week under review, we were able to resist five kidnapping attempts. We were able to rescue nine victims. That is to say that the kidnap attempt failed.

“The notorious portion of Elegbeka had been bombarded, and we are glad to say that the Amotekun rangers had infiltrated the entire forest around Elegbeka to guarantee safety of commuters lives and property of the people of the area. In the next few weeks, we are going to dominate Ala, Ago-Oyibo, Ogbese, Jugbere and other forests.”

Adeleye reiterated the Corps’ commitment to securing the state’s people and assured investors of a safe environment.

He cautioned against buying secondhand items without asking for genuine receipts.