By Esther Yakubu
The Amotekun security Network has denied the viral report alleging that there were clashes between the men of the corps and Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa and Oke Ogun axes of Oyo State.
The Commandant, Oyo State Security Network Agency, Operation Amotekun, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.) said.
Amotekun had recently embarked on operations in response to the incessant reports of killings and kidnapping in the area.
According to the Commandant who spoke in Ibadan, the state capital on Sunday, his men launched six operations in four local government areas.
However, he stated that the team in Aiyete was attacked in the forest by suspected bandits, three of whom were killed by men of the Amotekun Corps.
According to him, the operations were fully supported by Fulani leaders in the areas.
He added that some Miyetti Allah members were part of the operations.
A statement made available to newsmen after the media briefing by the Commandant stressed that its 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 corps paraded one of the suspected kidnappers, Sanni Bello, who was arrested in the forests around Aiyegun in Iwajowa Local Government Area.
The statement read, “Contrary to reports, there was no clash whatsoever between Fulani herdsmen and Amotekun in Ibarapa or Oke Ogun axis 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 and a gun battle ensued, which led to the death of three of the attackers. One of our men sustained injuries.
“It was not a clash with the Fulani because Fulanis were part of the planning of the operation and we raided the forests together.
“We were in touch with Seriki who is the leader of the Fulani in the area. Even after our men were withdrawn on Saturday afternoon, we got reports that some Fulani were kidnapped in one location close to the area of operation.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”.
