Joint Security Team Arrests Suspected Mastermind Of Kidnapping In Southwest Nigeria

Iskilu Wakili, an alleged notorious criminal believed to be the mastermind of multiple kidnappings and killings in Ibarapa area of Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria has been arrested.

Wakili was arrested alongside three others on Sunday by operatives of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), vigilantes, and other local security groups.

Gani Adams, leader of the OPC confirmed Wakili’s arrest in a statement on Sunday, in which he also noted that the alleged kidnapping kingpin has been handed to police in Igbo-Ora area of the state.

Adams disclosed that the arrest was carried out after several attempts, resulting in a gun battle between the suspect, his gang and the OPC men and others Sunday morning.

“I am happy that the notorious kidnapper has been captured alongside three others. It is a good development and a positive signal to other criminal elements that the Southwest is no longer an abode for bandits, kidnappers, and criminal herders,” he said.

He also commended 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.”

According to him, the effort to rid the Southwest of terrorists was to complement the efforts of the police.

He noted that it was very important for the police to support the local security operatives because they are always at the grassroots and have intel on local security matters.

Reacting to the development, the Afenifere group in a statement by Yinka Odumakin, its publicity secretary, also commended the OPC for its role in Wakili’s arrest.

Meanwhile, police in Oyo state said they were currently interrogating those that were apprehended with the said Wakili, while has been moved to a hospital due to his frail appearance and state of health.

Fadeyi Olugbenga, police spokesperson in the state said in a statement after the arrest that members of the OPC involved in the operation were also being interrogated.