A notorious kidnapper alleged to be responsible for a series of kidnappings and killings in Ibarapa area of Oyo State, Iskilu Wakili, has been arrested.

Wakili was arrested on Sunday by men of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and other local security groups.

The arrest was carried out after several attempts resulting in a gun battle on Sunday morning.

This newspaper reported that Wakili and his gang have been fingered in various kidnappings and killings in the past.

Confirming the arrest, OPC leader, Gani Adams, said in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, that Wakili has been handed to the police in Igbo Ora, Oyo State.

“I am happy that the notorious kidnapper has been captured alongside three others,” he said.

“It is a good development and a positive signal to other criminal elements that the Southwest is no longer an abode for bandits, kidnappers, and criminal herders.

“I commend all members of the joint security team that made this possible because with the video at my disposal, it was a neat job.

“With this development, I think the whole world will agree with me that the fight against insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry needs native intelligence, information gathering, and grassroots support from local securities and operatives.

“As I have said earlier that the effort to rid Southwest of bandits and kidnappers was to complement efforts of the police and in doing that, it is also very important for the police to support the local security operatives because they are always at the grassroots and they have their ears to the ground on local security matters.”

PT