Alleged kidnapper, Wakili, denies accusations of creating unrest, violence in Oyo State

The Fulani leader, Iskilu Wakili, has denied accusations of being involved in criminal activities in Oyo State.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that Wakili was arrested by members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) in the Kajola, Ibarapa area of Oyo State on Sunday.

In his statement at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Wakili challenged his accusers to come out in the open with their claims.

According to him, he has never been involved in crime since he has been staying in Oyo for over 20 years.

Wakili said he was at home on Sunday when he heard women among his household shouting that some armed men were approaching his house.

READ ALSO: WAKILI: Police detains three OPC members for alleged murder, arson

“Two days after my return from the hospital (in Cotonou, Republic of Benin), I was lying down because I was ill and suddenly some women came and started shouting that armed OPC men had come looking for me.

“I asked them to flee but I could not run because I was sick. Two men later came and picked me from where I was lying down, they threw me in their vehicle naked. I fainted many times before they drove me to the police station in Igboora. From there we were taken to SCID, Ibadan.

“I am not a criminal, my children are not criminals. I don’t know anything about kidnapping or any crime. I have many cows and I know they stray into farms at times but I don’t have criminal records anywhere and this can be investigated. After they took me away from my home, a woman, Tande, was killed.”

Wakili also narrated how he paid ransom before his children who were abducted last year were released.

He said: “Sometime last year, two of my children were kidnapped and I paid millions of naira as ransom before they were released. I am not a kidnapper.”

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now