Notorious Fulani Herdsman, Iskilu Wakili Arrested After Gun Battle With OPC Members In Oyo [Video]

A notorious Fulani warlord, Iskilu Wakili, has been arrested after a gun battle with members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in Igangan, in Ibarapa North Local Government of Oyo State.

There had been reports that Wakili and his gang were involved in the killings and kidnapping of several people in Ibarapa and Oke-Ogun areas of Oyo .

According to TheCable, a security operative identified as Oguntola Adeola confirmed that Wakili was arrested with three members of his gang on Sunday morning after several attempts resulting in a gun battle.

“Wakili has been parading himself as a Fulani warlord in Ibarapa area. He was arrested after a gun fight with the Oodua Peoples Congress and other security groups early on Sunday. He was arrested with three of his fighters.

“He said he was sick and has been taking treatment in Cotonou, Republic of Benin. He also said that he only returned to Ibarapa from Cotonou on Saturday, but it was a lie. After arrest, he stopped talking to us,” Adeola said.

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, also confirmed Wakili’s arrest in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, on Sunday.

Adams said the Fulani warlord was arrested around 7 am on Sunday and had been handed over to the Divisional Police Office in Igbo Ora area of Oyo.

He applauded OPC, Ibarapa joint security team over arrest of Wakilu, whom he described as the ‘most-dreaded, notorious kidnap kingpin’ who has operated in Oyo.

“I am happy that the notorious kidnapper had been captured alongside three others. It is a good development and a positive signal to other criminal elements that the South-West is no longer an abode for bandits, kidnappers, and criminal herders.

“I commend all the members of the joint security team that has made this possible because with the video at my disposal, it was purely a neat job.

“With this development, I think the whole world will agree with me that the fight against insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry needs native intelligence, information gathering, and grassroots support from local securities and operatives.

“As I have said earlier that the effort to rid the South-West of bandits and kidnappers was to complement the efforts of the police and in doing that, it is also very important for the police to support the local security operatives because they are always at the grassroots and they have their ears to the ground on local security matters.”

Confirming the arrest of Wakili, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo state, Gbenga Fadeyi said Wakili and three others are already in police custody.

Fadyi said, “Yes, (he was arrested) with three others.”

Breaking: Iskilu Wakili, a Fulani herdsman who allegedly seized hectares of farmlands, raped the women, and kidnapped their rich men for ransom in Ayete, a town in the Ibarapa area of Oyo State, has been arrested.

Full video: https://t.co/DfCvKDACQa pic.twitter.com/mwo28i5pyz

— Oyo Affairs (@Oyoaffairs) March 7, 2021

KanyiDaily had also reported how a Police DPO shot an Amotekun operative for arresting Fulani herdsmen who allegedly destroyed a cassava farm in Oyo.