The Oyo State Police Command and leadership of Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) have come out with different versions on the arrest of an alleged notorious kidnapper, Iskilu Wakili in Kajola community of Oyo State.
Penpushing reports that, the National Coordinator of Odua Peoples Congress(OPC), Otunba Gani Adams in his account said the suspect was arrested on Sunday by men of the Congress and other local security groups following a gun duel.
The Congress boss said the arrest was carried out after several attempts adding that Wakili and his gang have been fingered in various kidnappings and killings in Ibarapa area of the community and subsequently handed over to the police.
Penpushing further reports that, in contrast to Adams statement, the Commissioner of Police said the command received information that a group of persons, later found out to be members of the Odua Peoples Congress- (OPC), had invaded Kajola community in Ibarapa axis of the State.
The command in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Gbenga Fadeyi said the invasion was reportedly aimed at arresting one Wakili, a Fulani by tribe, who is alleged to be the sponsor and mastermind of various criminal attacks against the people/farmers of Yoruba origin in the community.
‘The State Commissioner of Police has quickly moved into action and preliminary findings revealed that some OPC members went to Kajola community in Ibarapa North Local government Area of Oyo State’, Fadeyi stated
‘While there, the house of the Wakili in question was set ablaze, while a female (the identity of who is yet to be ascertained) was burnt in the fire and Wakili (about 75 years old and blind) with two (2) other persons were picked up’, the statement added.
Penpushing also reports that, the police said three of them are presently in the custody,adding that the Commissioner has directed that Wakili ,due to his frail appearance and state of health, be moved to the Hospital.
The Police spokesman disclosed that while others being interrogated are the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) members, involved in arson and murder, warning that any person or group of persons from any region or tribe that has been found culpable to have committed any criminal act(s) in the State would not be spared, but would be arrested and dealt with according to extant laws.
‘ Therefore, it is worthy of note that the good people of Oyo State and the general public should be rest assured that the officers and men in the Command would not derelict in its duty to bring to book criminal elements arrested for any infringement on the laws of the land, as adequate security measures has been emplaced against anything untoward while soliciting credible information from members of the public to enable the police and other security agencies clampdown on crime and criminality in the State’.
‘In conclusion, anybody that has any case against Iskilu Wakili should report it to the State Criminal Investigation Department, (CID) Iyaganku Ibadan for discreet Investigation’,Fadeyi declared.
Penpushing reports that, contrary to the position of the police, Adams who confirmed the arrest of the suspect by his men, emphasised that Wakili had been linked with various criminal offences
“I am happy that the notorious kidnapper had been captured alongside three others. It is a good development and a positive signal to other criminal elements that the South-West is no longer an abode for bandits, kidnappers, and criminal herders’, Adams said.
“I commend all the members of the joint security team that has made this possible because with the video at my disposal, it was purely a neat job. With this development, I think the whole world will agree with me that the fight against insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry needs native intelligence, information gathering, and grassroots support from local securities and operatives’.
“As I have said earlier that the effort to rid the South-West of bandits and kidnappers was to complement the efforts of the police and in doing that, it is also very important for the police to support the local security operatives because they are always at the grassroots and they have their ears to the ground on local security matters.”
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