At least 114 people, mostly from northern Nigeria, have been deported by the Amotekun security group in Ondo State on charges of breaking into the state’s forests.
The people were being transferred in two trucks and were sent to other wooded regions, such as Ore and Ofosu, according to Adetunji Adeleye, the State Commander of Amotekun.
Speaking to the media, Adeleye disclosed that security forces had stepped up their efforts in the last few weeks to stop unauthorized people from entering the forests of Ondo State.
Adeleye said that the state governor had ordered security guards to exclude anyone who couldn’t give a good justification for being in the deep forest areas.
He revealed that a number of weapons, including firearms manufactured locally, were found on the people who were supposedly utilizing the forests as a base from which to launch attacks before fleeing.
According to Adeleye, a comprehensive profiling procedure was carried out, and all but three of the people were unable to provide an explanation for their ultimate destination or reason for being in the forests.
Although freedom of movement is guaranteed by the constitution, the Amotekun commander stressed that it must be used for justifiable reasons.
Adeleye mentioned that they had been instructed to return immediately to their home states by the state governor.
He showed out a few of the seized firearms during the press conference.
Bala Umaru, the head of the Hausa community in Ondo State, meantime, praised the government for putting security first and making sure the people returned home safely.
Since then, the people have been returned to different places accross the nation.