The Oyo State Police Command on Monday confirmed the arrest of 47 armed Fulani in Igangan, Ibarapa area of the state.
The suspects were arrested Sunday morning by men of the State Joint Anti-Crime Security Patrol team codenamed Operation Burst.
They were said to have been arrested at Ofiki River along Tapa/Igangan Road in the Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the state.
The armed men, who were caught with guns and other dangerous weapons, were allegedly on a reprisal mission in the area.They were said to be arrested in a convoy of three buses.
The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Oyo State Olugbenga Fadeyi, a Chief Superintendent, said the arrested hoodlums claimed that they were trailing some kidnappers who were about to collect ransom from relations of a kidnapped victim.
He added that investigation has been intensified on the arrest, adding that the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Iyaganku, Ibadan.
Fadeyi said: “Yes, the arrested Fulani men have been transfered to SCID Iyaganku, Ibadan for discreet investigation.
“Though it was alleged that the Fulani men claimed they were trailing some kidnappers who were about to collect ransom from relations of a kidnapped victim, investigation has been intensified on the arrest, please.”
A source claimed that the armed Fulani were allegedly invited by their kinsmen to strike in the area following the raid carried out by the men of the Oyo State Security Network Agency known as Amotekun in the axis on Saturday.
But Amotekun had said it raided the hideouts of kidnappers in the area on Saturday in an operation that led to the death of three persons while one of officer of the Vigilante Group who also participated in the operation was injured.
The security outfit said the raid was carried out in collaboration with members of the Miyetti Allah, Vigilante Group, hunters, and others.
