Youths protest at Makinde’s office over detention of OPC members

Some aggrieved Oyo youths on Monday stormed the state secretariat at Agodi to protest against the detention of three members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) involved in the capture of Iskilu Wakili, a Fulani leader.

The OPC members had arrested Wakili and some of his fighters at Ibarapa area of Oyo.

They were subsequently arrested by the police and arraigned in court.

The police charged them with murder and arson, and the court ruled that they be remanded in prison.

Registering their displeasure, the youths stormed the governor’s office, displaying placards calling for the release of the men whom they described as “heroes”.

They also lamented over the security situation in Ibarapaland, Oke-Ogun and other parts of the state, alleging that herdsmen have resumed killing their people and destroying farmlands.

Oladiran Oladokun, one of the organisers of the protest and convener of Igangan Development Advocates, told journalists that the arrest of the OPC members despite “risking their lives” is an indication that security agencies cannot be trusted.

“We are here to protest the arrest and remand of the three OPC members in prison. These men are heroes, they risked their lives to arrest Wakili who has terrorised the people of Kajola, Ayete and other villages,” Oladokun said.

“They went to Wakili’s place and arrested him but the police turned against them and detained them. This is a bad signal to Nigerians on security issues.”

Taiwo Adisa, Makinde’s spokesman, did not answer the phone when called for a comment on the development.