Amotekun arrests Ekiti Indian hemp farmer with gun

Operatives of Ekiti State Amotekun Corps have arrested a suspected Indian hemp farmer and another suspect with a wound suspected to be gunshot injuries.

The 35-year-old hemp farmer identified simply as Monday was said to have been arrested in the forest in Ise Ekiti, Ekiti State with a gun while 21-year-old Joseph was nabbed in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, with injury.

The State Amotekun Commander, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe (retd.), who said his men arrested the suspects following credible information, urged members of the public to “be vigilant, be proactive and report suspicious movements to the corps and law enforcement agencies.”

Komolafe, who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Tuesday while parading the two suspects, said, “Upon interrogation, Monday, who told us he is an Indian hemp farmer, said he migrated from the forest in Owo, Ondo State last year. He came to Ise Forest to plant Indian hemp.

“He said the gun is being used to protect themselves from herdsmen who were fond of disturbing them. Having locally made gun is against the firearms law and he also indulges in the illegal business of cultivating Indian hemp.”

On the second suspect, he said, “Joseph was arrested around the Okeila/Okeyinmi area of Ado Ekiti on alert by the community, who said he had just come out of the forest.

“After examination, we saw a big wound in his leg; we suspected it is a gunshot injury. He might have been shot where he had gone to rob. Upon interrogation, he was not coherent.”

On the next step, the commander said, “The law establishing Amotekun Corps says we should hand over all our suspects to the police. The two of them will be taken to the police now for further investigation and perhaps prosecution.”

Monday, who said a friend gave him the gun and bullets to defend himself against herdsmen who were troubling them in the farm where they cultivated cocoa and Indian hemp, said, “I have not used it before. The bullets he gave to me are here unspent.”

The suspect added, “I moved from Owo, Ondo State where I was planting Indian hemp after the crisis over activities of herdsmen last year. I have prepared two acres for planting Indian hemp in the free area beside the forest at Ise Ekiti.

“I am pleading for mercy from the government. I know my greatest offence now is the gun that I possess. I want mercy.”

Joseph, who said his injury was not from gunshot but machetes, explained, “I was beaten and injured by boys. My offence was that I went to pass the night on a caterpillar. When the people came in the morning, they flogged me and injured me with cutlasses.”

When probed on where the alleged attack took place, the suspect could not say which part of Ado Ekiti it happened or his mission at the location.