Ondo community caught Fulani men undergoing military training in Army barracks

Ilesanmi AdekanbiMay 1, 2021

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Anxiety in Ondo community over influx of Fulani men

There was panic in Okitipupa town in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State on Friday as the residents of the area caught some northern youths undergoing military training in front of the Okitipupa Army barracks.

It was learnt that no fewer than 45 group of Northerners were reportedly sighted in the community by the residents.

Reports had it that the Fulani men were brought to the community on Thursday in a truck and dumped around 9:00 pm near Army Barracks in the town for an unspecified purpose.

Leaders in the community rushed to inform both the council chairman, lgbekele Akinrinwa and the State Security Outfit codenamed Amotekun.

They were reportedly rounded up and prevented from going into the community.

The council chairman, Akinrinwa who rushed to the scene which attracted many residents alleged that it was a native of the town that facilitated the travellers trip to the town.

Akinrinwa said the man had been arrested by personnel of the state’s security corps, Amotekun.

He pleaded with the people to remain calm as the visitors would be moved to Akure the state’s capital for further security checks and investigation.

Meanwhile, the state Commander of the Amotekun corps, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, confirmed the arrest of the youths in front of the Okitipupa Army Barracks at about 10pm on Thursday.

Adeleye noted that investigation had commenced into the matter, saying that the probe will be made available to public.

Newsflash Nigeria gathered that the youths were conveyed in a truck, which was intercepted and taken to Akure, the state capital.

Many residents of the town, who gathered at the scene, expressed apprehension that the northern youths were in the town to cause havoc.

The residents said the youths confessed that they were sent from the North to undergo military training in the barracks.

A source, “The Amotekun Corps personnel arrested the Fulani youths who were being conveyed in a trailer in front of the army barracks.

As the Amotekun Corps accosted them, some of them jumped out of the vehicle and ran into the town but about 45 of them were arrested.

“When they were interrogated, they said they were sent from the North to undergo military training in the barracks. After that, the Amotekun Corps took them away from the town.”

The Public Relations Officer of the state police command, Tee-Leo Ikoro, also confirmed the incident, saying the suspects had been handed over to the Amotekun Corps.

He said, “The men are mostly northerners who said they wanted to undergo military training in the barracks to be security guards but the commander did not allow them because he did not have a signal to that effect. But since there was no place to keep them in Okitipupa, they have been handed over to Amotekun.”