Amotekun debunks reports of clash with fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa

Operatives of the Oyo State security network, Amoketun, on Saturday debunked reports that it clashed with Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa.

On Saturday, about seven persons were reportedly killed as Fulani herdsmen and the Amotekun clashed at Aiyete in the Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the State.

However, the Oyo State Security Network Agency has debunked the reports. Col. Olayinka Olatunji, the State Commandant of the agency said there were no clashes between his men and Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa land and Oke Ogun axis of Oyo state.

Olatunji, who debunked the reports in a statement to newsmen in Ibadan, revealed his men launched six operations in four local government areas but that the team in Aiyete was attacked inside the forest by suspected bandits, three of whom were killed by his men.

He noted that the Amotekun operatives raided the forests of Ibarapa and Oke Ogun areas of the state in the early hours of Saturday to rid the areas of kidnappers and criminal elements.

The Commandant, parading one of the suspects identified as Sanni Bello said he was arrested in the forests around Aiyegun axis, in Iwajowa Local Government Area.

He stated that the operation around the forests was sequel to incessant reports of killings and kidnappings in the region.

The statement reads; “Contrary to any report you might have come across, there was no clash whatsoever between Fulani herdsmen and Amotekun in Ibarapa or Oke Ogun axes 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, leading to a gun battle where three of the attackers died. One of our men sustained injuries.

“It is not a clash with the fulani because the Fulanis were part of the planning of the operation and we raided the forests together. We are in touch with Seriki who is the leader of the Fulani in the area. Even after our men were withdrawn Saturday afternoon, we got reports that some Fulani were kidnapped in one location close to the area of operation.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 from Lanlate, Igbo Ora, Igangan, Iganna and Aiyegun general areas in Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central and Ibarapa North as well as Iwajowa Local Givernment Areas.

“There were six teams in all comprising members of Amotekun, Vigilantes, Hunters and Maiyetti Allah Vigilante.

“All the six teams had elements of these groups ( joint team). “However, at Igbo Ora, one of teams had an encounter with two armed men, effected their arrest and recovered one double barrel rifle. All suspects and weapon were handed over to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO Magoro Police Station, Igbo Ora at about 9am 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 to serious injury on one member of Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) 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.

“However, the operation was suspended at about 12 noon on Saturday to allow for further stock taking.”