The Commandant, Oyo State Security Network Agency, codenamed Operation Amotekun, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd.), has denied that there were clashes between its personnel, Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa and Oke Ogun areas of Oyo State.
The Commandant in a statement issued on Sunday after a press conference in Ibadan, said Amotekun had recently embarked on operations in response to the incessant reports of killings and kidnapping in the area, adding that his men launched six operations in four local government areas of the state.
He, however, stated that the team in Ayete was attacked in the forest by suspected bandits, three of whom were killed by men of the Amotekun Corps.
According to him, the operations were fully supported by Fulani leaders in the areas, noting that some Miyetti Allah members were part of the operations.
He added that its operatives raided the forests of Ibarapa and Oke Ogun areas of the state in the early hours of Saturday to rid the them of kidnappers and criminal elements.
“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 Even after our men were withdrawn on Saturday afternoon, we got reports that some Fulani were kidnapped in one location close to the area of operation.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,” Olayanju said.
He continued: “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.”
The corps paraded one of the suspected kidnappers, Sanni Bello, who was arrested in the forests around Aiyegun in Iwajowa Local Government Area.
