Why We Detained OPC Members After Arresting Alleged Kidnapper – Police
Three members of Oodua People's Congress (OPC) who were part of a joint security team that arrested a suspected kidnapping kingpin in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria, are currently in police custody.
Police in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria said they arrested and detained three members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) for arresting Iskilu Wakili, a suspected mastermind of kidnappings in the region, on Sunday and for killing a woman and committing arson during the process.
Olugbenga Fadeyi, Oyo State’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) explained in a statement that the three members of OPC detained were being interrogated for their involvement in arson and murder.
“The Oyo State Police Command would like to inform the general public that at about 0900 hrs of date (7th March 2021), information was received 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,” Fadeyi said in the statement.
According to the statement, 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 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,” the statement read in part.
“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 other persons were picked up”, part of the statement read.
“The three of them are presently in the custody of the Police. The Commissioner of Police has directed that Wakili (due to his frail appearance and state of health), be moved to the hospital, while others are being interrogated. Others being interrogated are the OPC members, involved in arson and murder.”
HumAngle on Sunday reported how Wakili, and three others who were alleged to be involved in various kidnappings and killings in the past in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axis of the state were arrested after several attempts resulting in a gun battle.
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