A notorious Fulani warlord, Iskilu Wakili, believed to be behind many criminal activities in Oyo communities, has been arrested by a combination of Ibarapa security operatives, including Oodua Peoples Congress and Vigilante groups.
The warlord was captured after months of efforts to reign in his alleged nefarious activities in the forest of Ibarapa, Oke Ogun in Oyo State.
Iskilu and his gang were alleged to have been involved in the killings and kidnapping of several people in the Oke Ogun areas of Oyo State.
It would be recalled that his second-in-command, Isiaka Muhammadu, had earlier been arrested alongside four others last week.
A video of the suspect’s capture is currently circulating online. He was seen in the video seated in a truck with his back propped up.
An unidentified interviewer was asking him questions, which he largely ignored, as he closed his eyes and waved occasionally like someone in pain.
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, also sent out a statement confirming Wakili’s arrest.
Adams disclosed that Wakili was arrested on Sunday and had been handed over to the Divisional Police Office in Igbo Ora, Oyo State.
Adams said, “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.”
