Oyo: We Raided Kidnappers’ Hideouts With Miyetti Allah, Others – Amotekun Commander

The Commandant of the Oyo State Security Network Agency aka Operation Amotekun, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.), has said the operations recently carried out in the Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun axis of the state was not against Fulani herdsmen, but against kidnappers.

The commandant said Amotekun carried out the raid in different forests in the area  in collaboration with the Miyetti Allah, hunters and Vigilante Groups of Nigeria to rid the areas of kidnappers and bandits. 

Olayanju, who  said this in a statement on Sunday, explained that the operations were not targeted against the law-abiding Fulani, but criminals irrespective of their ethnicity.

He stated that the operations were fully supported by Fulani leaders in the areas, while adding that members of the  Miyetti Allah were also part of the operations.

However, he stated that the team in Aiyete was attacked in the forest by suspected bandits, three of whom were killed by men of the Amotekun Corps.

The Amotekun commandant, however, said the  team at  Aiyete was attacked in the forest by suspected bandits and three of the suspected criminals were killed.

The statement read, “Contrary to reports, there was no clash whatsoever between Fulani herdsmen and Amotekun in Ibarapa or Oke Ogun axis 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 and a gun battle ensued, which led to the death of three of the attackers. One of our men sustained injuries.

“It was not a clash with the Fulani because Fulanis were part of the planning of the operation and we raided the forests together.

“We were in touch with Seriki who is the leader of the Fulani in the area. Even after our men were withdrawn on Saturday afternoon, we got reports that some Fulani were kidnapped in one location close to the area of operation.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 in Lanlate, Igbo Ora, Igangan, Iganna and Aiyegun general areas in Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North as well as Iwajowa Local Government Areas.

“There were six teams in all comprising members of Amotekun, vigilantes, hunters and Miyetti Allah Vigilante.

“All the six teams had elements of these groups (joint team). However, at Igbo Ora, one of the teams had an encounter with two armed men, effected their arrest and recovered one double barrel rifle.

“All suspects and weapons were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO Magoro Police Station, Igbo Ora at about 9 am 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 in serious injury to one member of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria 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. The operation was suspended at about 12 noon on Saturday to allow for further stock-taking.”