Famous Isikilu Wakili, the alleged kidnap kingpin in Ayete, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Monday recounted how he was arrested over the weekend by some armed operatives of the Odua Peoples Congress who besieged his camp while lying down sick.
Wakili spoke during an interview with journalists in Ibadan on Monday, saying he had been sick and had gone for treatment in a town called Iparaku.
The frail-looking old man said he was indisposed at the time the local security operatives arrived at his camp, adding that he was alerted of their presence by some women who were with him.
“I was not feeling all right as I just returned from Benin republic so laid in my hunt when I heard noises that the Amotekun are coming armed and with my health, I was unable to make a run so I advice others to run for their dear lives, I was arrested and drag to Igboora police state before I was moved to Ibadan.
“They burned down my house, my daughter is currently lying lifeless at the hospital, and I am ready to go anywhere since I know nothing about the kidnappings and killings in Ibarapa. At a point, my children were also kidnapped, and I had to pay millions to set them free.”
The 74 years old man insisted that he has a clean record and has never involved in any criminal cases; he urged whoever has a point to prove to come out.
Meanwhile, a leader of the OPC said it took over four days of continuous operations and surveillance to arrest Wakili and three of his accomplices, adding that Wakili’s men fiercely shot at them before they were eventually arrested.
He, however, expressed dismay that the police were witch-hunting the OPC men for executing what the police failed to do.
“We feel bad that the police treat our men like this while they pamper Wakili. We don’t have any regret whatsoever. We hand over everything to God. If the government cannot protect the people of Ibarapa and environ, I think there is nothing wrong if we defend ourselves.
“The case of Wakili has been on the ground for several years, and the Federal Government did nothing about it. But now that Wakili has been arrested, they started threatening us, but we are not moved. We believe the people of Ibarapa will overcome this by the grace of God.”
The Oodua Peoples Congress leader denied the burning of Wakili house.
“We arrested Wakili and three of his men. Nobody touched them. We were not there to kill anybody or to burn the house.”
He called on Yoruba leaders to come to his men’s rescue, saying it is unfortunate that the police resorted to hunting his men after arresting the notorious Fulani warlord. At the same time, Wakili was moved to the hospital.
