SOJI AJIBOLA, Ibadan
The Oodua Peoples Congress, Oyo state chapter, has warned the state Police Command against the reported plan to release the suspected kidnap kingpin, Isikalu Wakili.
Also, the OPC decried the actions of the police toward the detained OPC members, calling for immediate release of three of its members arrested by the police in the state.
The state coordinator of the OPC led by Iba Gani Adams, Comrade Rotimi Olumo, had at a press conference in Ibadan faulted the submission of the police that it needed a legal process before arresting Wakili.
According to him, Wakili had become untouchable by the Nigerian security operatives before his men caught him in the forest.
“We voluntarily went to the forest and provided a helping hand to the police and successfully arrested Wakili. We handed him to the police.
“But we were, however, surprised that the police turned around to pounce upon three of our members who had gone to honour the invitations extended to them by the police.”
Olumo further explained that it has come to the knowledge of OPC leadership in the state that Wakili will soon be released from police custody.
The OPC leader, therefore, called for the unconditional release of its members, saying they did not do anything wrong by arresting an alleged kidnapper.
Speaking further, Olumi said the families of detained OPC members are calling for their unconditional release without delay.
“OPC is a recognised group like any other organisation in Yoruba land. … Nigerians are aware that the government at the center is practicing nepotism where the Fulanis are believed to be more superior to other ethnic groups,” Olumi alleged, adding that “releasing Wakili can cause crises in the state.”
Olumo further noted that it was regrettable that criminal activities have allegedly returned to Ibarapa land as Wakili’s boys are fully on ground for reprisal attack in that region.
“We want Oyo State Government and traditional rulers in the South- West to rise to the matter,” he said.