Two Amotekun operatives arrested for cocoa theft

Two Amotekun operatives have been arrested in Ondo for allegedly stealing cocoa pods in Idanre. Police say the case has been moved to SCID for investigation.

Two operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), codenamed Operation Amotekun Corps, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the theft of cocoa pods in Idanre Local Government Area, a community widely recognized as one of Nigeria’s major cocoa-producing regions.

The suspects, Ajayi Adebusuyi (45) and Oluwadare Olubodun (42), were apprehended on a cocoa plantation located at Gbalegi Camp, Idanre, during a routine farm inspection.

They were allegedly found in possession of freshly harvested cocoa pods suspected to have been stolen from the farmland.

Investigations revealed that the arrest followed complaints of frequent theft incidents on the farm.

The farm’s caretaker, Friday Abbah, reportedly became alarmed by the repeated disappearance of cocoa pods and decided to lay surveillance.

His effort paid off when the two operatives were allegedly caught red-handed within the plantation. The stolen cocoa pods were immediately recovered and presented as evidence.

A resident of the community, who identified himself only as Abel, confirmed that the suspects were swiftly taken to the Nigeria Police Divisional Headquarters in Idanre after being apprehended.

According to him, the arrest shocked locals, as security operatives are generally trusted to protect farmers and their produce rather than engage in criminal activity.

Spokesperson of the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

He explained that the arrests were made after persistent complaints by farm managers who had suffered losses from the recurring theft of cocoa pods.

“The security operatives visited the farmland at Gbalegi Camp, where evidence of theft was established, including several empty cocoa pods left behind by the culprits.

“The two suspects are now in custody, and the Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for detailed investigation,” Ayanlade stated.

The incident has generated widespread discussions in Idanre, a town historically known as the cocoa belt of Ondo State, and one of Nigeria’s largest contributors to cocoa production.

Residents expressed disappointment over the alleged misconduct, noting that those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting lives, property, and the state’s agricultural resources must not be found wanting in such crimes.

Some community leaders and farmers described the development as a betrayal of public trust, emphasizing that security operatives should be models of integrity.

Others called on authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation that would serve as a deterrent to other officers who may contemplate abusing their positions.

Cocoa farming is a major economic activity in Idanre and neighboring communities in Ondo State.

The state remains Nigeria’s largest cocoa-producing region, contributing significantly to the country’s foreign exchange earnings.

However, cocoa theft has become a growing challenge for farmers, with losses running into millions of naira annually.

The involvement of security operatives in such acts, residents say, raises new concerns about safeguarding the livelihood of farmers in the region.