The Oyo state chapter of the Otunba Gani Adams led Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) on Tuesday said none of its members was among the 46 people arrested by the police in connection with violence that erupted in Oke-Ado area of Ibadan, the state capital on Monday.
The state police command had on Monday revealed that 46 people were arrested in connection with the violence, while there were media reports that the clash was between members of the Gani Adams-led OPC and New Era OPC in the state.
But in a press statement signed by its state Coordinator, Comrade Rotimi Olumo, and made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Tuesday, the Gani Adams-led OPC declared that the crisis was between two gangs of thugs from Foko and Oke-Ado areas of Ibadan.
Comrade Olumo added that the OPC in the state was ready to collaborate with the state police command and other security agencies in the state in ensuring the arrest of trouble makers in the affected areas.
The Oyo OPC Coordinator maintained that the violence had nothing to do with OPC, saying members of his group were only invited to come and quell the crisis by the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan Southwest Local Government Area, Hon. Gbenga Opaleye.
His words: “I received a distress call from the local government chairman, asking OPC to come and assist the police to put the situation under control. I then called the chairman of our group in the local government, Comrade Akin Osa, to assist the police at the scene.”
He then wondered why members of the Gani Adams led OPC in the state, who have remained law-abiding, could be linked with the violence, saying it was the handiwork of some enemies of the group who are hell bent on rubbishing the good image of the group because of their personal and selfish interests.
Olumo promised that OPC in Oyo state will continue to assist in sustaining the peaceful environment in the state, and will not fold its arms and allow some hoodlums to disturb the peace that has been reigning in the state for about seven years now.
The Oyo OPC leader maintained that the main reason why the Yoruba socio – cultural group was established was to fight and protect the interests of the race, and not to constitute threat to peace and security in Yorubaland.
Packaged by Gbenga Abegunrin
