The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has urged law enforcement agencies to deploy the synergy used to bust the syndicate behind the abduction of the sister of former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and her twins, to rescue the students and teachers in Oyo State who have been in captivity for a month.

The President of the OPC, Chief Wasiu Afolabi (aka Askari), who made the appeal in a statement, also dissociated the organisation from any action capable of undermining Nigerian laws and the reputation of the pan-Yoruba body.

Afolabi commended the Nigeria Police Force for the swift rescue of the sister and twin nephews of the former Minister of Power from kidnappers in Ibadan, Oyo State, while categorically distancing bona fide OPC members from the abduction of the three.

He said the swift security operation that led to the arrest of the suspect and the rescue of the victims aligns with the energy the organisation has consistently deployed in the fight against insurgency and other criminal tendencies in the country.

He said it is on record that the OPC regularly assists law enforcement agencies in cracking criminal cases and provides neighbourhood security services; therefore, its members cannot be associated with criminality.

Afolabi said that while any criminal of Yoruba origin may claim association with any group, any arrested suspect flaunting the name of OPC is an impersonator and should be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“OPC has no association whatsoever with those arrested over the Adelabu family kidnapping. They are not our members. Our members subscribe not just to physical registration but to a spiritual oath that they will invite disaster upon their heads if they indulge in any act of criminality, and they know the full repercussions of engaging in law-breaking, especially against a fellow Yoruba person,” he said. “Eni to ba d’ale Oodua, a ba’le lo.”

Afolabi emphasised that a few members found wanting in the past were dealt with decisively, subjected to public disgrace and expulsion.

He further stated that the speed with which the police handled the abduction of Adelabu’s relatives showed there is no hiding place for criminals in Yorubaland.

He urged security agencies to marshal a similar urgency towards the liberation of the kidnapped 39 pupils and seven teachers taken by terrorists in the Ogbomosho area of Oyo State since 3 June.

According to Afolabi, the group has consistently offered to assist the government in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and killings.

“We still maintain that OPC has the numerical capacity, the spiritual resources and the physical acumen to assist society and the government in tackling these persistent security challenges.

“Although the governments of the South-West have not invited us, we assure them that our offer is still on the table,” he said.

He said the OPC code of discipline would preclude any member from involvement in the kidnapping of the Adelabu family members.

“OPC remains one of the country’s most disciplined organisations. Since the days of the founder, Dr Frederick Fasehun, of blessed memory, members showing criminal tendencies have been shown the way out; and in some cases, they were handed over to law enforcement authorities.

“In fact, many who could not stand the fire of scrutiny and discipline have been known to proclaim factions. The main OPC body has neither control over nor association with such misguided and mischievous miscreants. If apprehended, such people should be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Meanwhile, the group has released phone lines through which its leaders can be contacted urgently in case of local security emergencies.

OPC HEADQUARTERS: 08027481578 / 08034751650 / 07087239619 / 08033012748

STATES AND FCT SECRETARIATS: Abuja FCT – 08076775566; Edo State – 09166135638; Ekiti State – 07030493439; Kano State – 08023666993; Lagos State – 08033523215; Ogun State – 0813174200; Ondo State – 06066994544; Osun State – 08062530829; Oyo State – 08063459099 (TRIBUNE)