The Commandant, Oyo State Security Network Agency, Operation Amotekun, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (retd.), has denied the 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, who addressed newsmen in Ibadan, said that his men launched six operations in four local government areas, adding that the team in Aiyete was attacked inside the forest by suspected bandits, three of whom were killed by his men.
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 by the Commandant, which was made available to newsmen after the media briefing, further revealed 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 forest 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.
