The Commandant of The Amotekun Operation in Oyo state Col. Olayanju rtd. have cleared the air about the purported claimed clash between his men and fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa North local government of oyo state, saying it wasn’t a clash but a joint action to oust kidnappers from the area.
According a statement credited to the Commandant obtained by THEVOICE, he revealed that the raid was a joint operation of combined forces of the Miyetti Allah, Local Vigilante and The Amotekun Corp carried out in six hot spots across four local government within Ibarapa and Oke-ogun axis to rid the area of kidnappers that have been terrorising the area
The operation was said to yield positive result as a suspect was arrested around Iwajowa local government, Okeogun and three of the suspected criminals was down at Ibarapa.
The Commandant said the operation was neccesary as a matter of urgent response to the rate of kidnap and killing occuring in recent times around Okeogun and Ibarapa axis of the state, He further stated that the attack in the area disn’t leave even the Fulani’s out of the ugly situation which prompt a cooperative effort by the group to forestall peace in the area.
The statement read: “Contrary to any report you might have come across, there was no clash whatsoever between Fulani herdsmen and Amotekun in Ibarapa or Oke Ogun axes of Oyo State”.
“What happened was that we launched clearance operations in different locations around the thick forests of the four local governments that have suffered kidnapping and wanton killings in recent times”.
“When our men entered the forests at Aiyede, they were attacked, leading to a gun battle where three of the attackers died. One of our men sustained injuries”.
“It is not a clash with the fulani because the Fulanis were part of the planning of the operation and we raided the forests together. We are in touch with Seriki who is the leader of the Fulani in the area. Even after our men were withdrawn Saturday afternoon, we got reports that some Fulani were kidnapped in one location close to the area of operation. So they are working with us because they are also victims of the dastardly acts of kidnapping in the area”.
“The incessant kidnapping and wanton destruction of lives necessitated the planning of a clearance operation from Lanlate, Igbo Ora, Igangan, Iganna and Aiyegun general areas in Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North as well as Iwajowa Local Givernment Areas.
“There were six teams in all comprising members of Amotekun, Vigilantes, Hunters and Maiyetti Allah Vigilante”.
“All the six teams had elements of these groups ( joint team). “However, at Igbo Ora, one of teams had an encounter with two armed men, effected their arrest and recovered one double barrel rifle. All suspects and weapon were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO Magoro Police Station, Igbo Ora at about 9am on Saturday”.
“In a related development, another team was attacked at about 9.30am in Igangan forest, Ibarapa North while on the clearance operations at a settlement. The attack was repelled resulting to serious injury on one member of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and three other suspects. Two dane guns were recovered at the scene”.
“In Iwajowa LGA, one of the teams also arrested a kidnap kingpin operating around Aiyegun axis. He was arrested with a locally made pistol and cartridges”.
“However, the operation was suspended at about 12 noon on Saturday to allow for further stock taking”.
