Oyo police arrest armed 47 Fulani men, orders probe
By Samuel Oki
Police authorities in Oyo State are probing the mission of 47 armed Fulani men arrested in Oyo State.
Locals had accused the armed Fulani men of coming on a revenge mission after clashes between Amotekun and armed Fulani men left three dead.
The 47 Fulani men arrested at Igangan by Operation Burst, a combination of police and soldiers were said to be armed with guns, knives and charms.
They were said to have been arrested on Sunday.
“Intelligence report indicated they were invited to come and attack some communities in Oyo State in revenge for the killing of three Fulani herdsmen who were said to be kidnappers. Their plan was to unleash mayhem in Oyo State” a covert agent who does not wish to be named told Irohinoodua.
While the Amotekun said the clash was between the operative and armed criminals, Fulani leader in the area said those killed were innocent.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Olugbenga Fadeyi, confirmed the arrest to to journalists but police are yet to conclude their invitations and were yet to make conclusive official report
The police image maker was quoted to have said that, “The arrested Fulani men have been transferred to the SCID, Iyaganku, Ibadan, for discreet investigation.
“Though it was alleged that the Fulani men claimed that they were trailing some kidnappers, who were about to collect ransom from relations of a kidnapped victim, investigation has been intensified on the matter.”
The Director General, Operation Burst, Col Oladipo Ajibola (retd.), also confirmed the arrest.
A member of Oodua Liberation Movement, Mr Sunday Akinnuoye told Irohinoodua that the mission of the 47 Fulani men was suspect.
He said ” Its shocking that the arrested Fulani men claim to be vigilante.How can you go about Yoruba forests, heavily armed and presenting yourselves as members of Vigilante? This is terrible. The South West states must rise to the challenge. It is a stupid thing for Miyetti Allah and Fulani leaders to be asking for inclusion in Amotekun. It means they are part of the kidnapping network in the South West. They want to join to protect the criminals among them.”