Police Confirm Arrest Of 3 OPC Members
.Move ‘Blind’ Wakili To Hospital
The Oyo Police Command has disclosed that it has in its custody three members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) who masterminded the arrest of suspected Fulani kidnapper, Iskilu Wakili.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olugbenga Fadeyi, made the disclosure, adding that the Commissioner of Police has directed that Wakili be moved to the hospital, “due to his frail appearance and state of health.”
Wakili, who was suspected to be the brain behind the series of kidnaps and rapes and other criminal attacks in Ayete, Ibarapa Local Government Area of the state, was arrested by OPC operatives, earlier on Sunday.
The Oyo PPRO said the three OPC operatives were being interrogated for their involvement in alleged arson and murder while carrying out the arrest of Wakili.
He said: “The Oyo State Police Command would like to inform the general public that at about 0900 hrs of date (7 March, 2021), information was received that a group of persons (later found out to be members of the OPC), had invaded Kajola Community in Ibarapa axis of the state.
“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 and 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.
“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.
“The three of them (the OPC members) 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.
“Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public 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.
“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.”
