TELL Magazine

Alternative security outfits in Oyo State have started contributing to the safety and security of lives and property. On Thursday, April 29, operatives of Oyo State Security Network Agency comprising Amotekun Corps, collaborating with Oodua People’s Congress, (OPC) and Vigilante Group of Nigeria, (VGN) apprehended six bandits at Kajola Local Government Area of the state.

Olayinka Olayanju, retired army colonel, and Oyo State commandant of Amotekun, said the suspects were arrested during joint routine patrol in the early hours of Thursday along two separate routes within Kajola LGA.

“They were arrested in separate incidents following encounters at two illegally-mounted road blocks. They tried to escape from the scene but were given hot pursuit by the operatives as they tried to evade arrest. We are still on the trail of others who managed to escape from the scene,” said the Commandant.

All the six bandits: Awali Atine, Ibrahim Abu, Shuaib Balau, Ibrahim Musa, Abdullah Masika and Umar Aliu Masika who were found to be of Bororo Fulani ethnic group, were arrested along Okeho-Ilua and Okeho – Iseyin Road at about 4am.

Olayanju revealed that “the bandits, whose modus operandi was to pretend as herdsmen in the day and violently robbed innocent passengers on the highways at night, were caught with 183 cows, weapons and a total sum of N268, 470.00.

“They have been handed over to the Nigeria Police Authority, Okeho divisional headquarters, alongside the 183 herds, weapons, and money found in their possession for further investigation,” said the Commandant who asked anyone with useful information about the bandits to assist the Police in their investigation.