The level of increasing fears of insecurity within the federation is becoming alarmingly worrisome as the insurgents have taken the techniques of their kidnapping activities to a whole new level and focus on terrorist attack on school.
Just recently, it revealed that a group under the auspices of Apapo Oodua Koya, sent a note of warning indicating to the governors of the Southwest region of the nation; precisely Ogun, Oyo, and Ondo states, to be wary of an alleged agenda by terrorists to kidnap school children in their states. They are therefore strongly advised to work out procedures to counteract such plans if they eventually turn out to be true.
However, Rotimi Akeredolu, the Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum reacting to the rumors disclosed that sufficient security strategies have been put in place to prevent terrorist attack on school.
Co-incidentally, this information was provided at a time that Mr. Rotimi Olumo, the coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, in Oyo state, criticized the former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Femi Fani-Kayode who earlier contended that the Abdullah Iskilu-Wakili arrested and being investigated by the authorities, was not the most dreaded Wakili causing mayhem around Igangan and its vicinities, and claimed that Fani-Kayode’s assertion on Wakili was false and misleading.
Olumo continued stating that: “Fani-Kayode has a reputation for using his social media page to foment trouble and cause disunity in Yorubaland. He had once attacked the Yoruba language. and Olumo questioned the integrity in the comments of the former aviation minister. “He lives in Abuja, yet he was the first to refute the claim that the kidnaper was Wakili. Where did he get his information?”
Olumo further added that “He should be warned to stop drumming the beat of disunity in Yorubaland. Fani-Kayode was one of the few people that called and congratulated our leader, the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, on Monday, on the success of the operation of the OPC, and the following day, he twisted the story refuting the claim that the man apprehended wasn’t Wakili”
Describing his experiences during the invasion in Igangan, Olumo confirmed that, “The operation that led to Wakili’s arrest and three other persons in Igangan lasted for over five hours, with a fierce battle between the OPC, the joint security operatives and the kidnappers, however, in the end, Wakili was apprehended, but his son, Abu escaped during the duel, using cows as cover.”
“Even the Ayete monarch, Oba Emmanuel Okeniyi, and a prominent group in Igangan also corroborated our claims that Wakili is their major problem in Igangan, applauding the OPC for rising to the occasion at the most important moment.
“Wakili’s story is a testimony of what OPC can achieve as a group with formidable structures across the country. So, in our desire to rid the South-west of criminal herders and kidnappers, we are determined to complement the efforts of the police and other security outfits.
Nevertheless, the Yoruba group, has through it’s representatives and leader Ahmed Akorede sent a written document to governors confronting and informing them about the reports they received stating that the armed terrorists in Ogun, Oyo and Ondo forests are making plans to attack and kidnap pupils. and students in the primary and secondary schools in the three states mentioned above.
According to the written statement; “They are gradually building armed fortresses. The groups are coordinated and linked with the kidnappers in Niger, Zamfara and Kaduna States.
Terrorist attack on school: They planning to kidnap school children in large numbers
“We got the information through credible intelligence. We can tap some of the communication of the insurgents usually rendered in Fulfulde. They are planning to kidnap school children in large numbers in any or all of the states mentioned above.
“They are currently located at Yewa in Ogun State; they are in Oke-Ogun in Oyo and Idanre-Ondo town axis in Ondo State.
“It is our responsibility to inform you of information at our disposal. We hope you begin to trust our intelligence beginning from two years ago when we warned the Southwest Governors about armed Fulani cells spread across the South West forests.
“If you allow this kidnapping to take place, you will be helpless because the security network you have around you is not for you but designed and controlled by enemies of Yoruba nation.”
Governor Akeredolu, reacting to the letter received from the concerned Yoruba group, spoke via his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde, stated thus;“Enough measures have been put in place, especially in Ondo State, to curb the excesses of criminals…“While governments in the South-West would not have taken the threats seriously, the arrangements put in place by the various states cannot be subjected to public debate or discourse.”
Gift Okpakorese
Staff Writer
