Wakili’s Arrest: We may not trust police again — Gani Adams

Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, revealed on Monday how the Nigeria police solicited the support of members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to facilitate the arrest of notorious Fulani warlord, Iskilu Wakili, who terrorised Ayete and neighbouring villages in Ibarapaland, Oyo State.

Speaking with Daily Independent at his residence in Lagos, Adams said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igbo-Ora had been in discussion with OPC members for over two months on how they could collaborate and strategise in arresting Wakili.

Adams, who said 60 percent of crime breakthroughs achieved by the police was made possible through the efforts of local security groups, however, said it was surprising how the same police would now turn around to arrest the OPC members for assisting in curtailing criminal activities and bringing peace to a troubled area.

He said: “If the Nigeria po­lice are sincere about the se­curity of our country and our safety and if, indeed, they are the mother of security as they say in their circle, and if they want us to have confidence in them again, they have to celebrate these gallant OPC men who arrested and handed him (Wakili) over to them instead of arresting them for carrying out a noble cause.

“They claimed that one person died during the operation. If you go to the den of a kidnapper to arrest people, anything can happen in the process.

“The DPO of Igbo-Ora had been discussing with our OPC men in the area, asking them if there was any way they could assist in arresting Wakili.

“Now, after the arrest, because he got a call from above, he now arrested people who even handed a criminal to them and clamped them into detention. You can see the way our security system operates.

“This is a person who was discussing with OPC men before on how they could assist in arresting this criminal. (Daily Independent)