When over 5,000 members of the Reformed Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) stormed the Imushin community in Ogun state in several buses and cars they probably did not expect to be chased away by the traditional ruler.
But they did get chased away- howbeit quite tactfully.
According to Punch, the OPC members arrived the community in nothing less than 100 vehicles ready to confront suspected militants who are believed to be lurking in the creeks.
The Yoruba vigilante group had reportedly moved around the community before visiting the Olumushin of Imushin, Oba Taiwo Bamgbose, who spoke to them outside his palace.
According to a source in the palace, the OPC members did not brandish any weapons on their visit however, they boasted of many charms which allegedly had powers that could kill the militants.
The source said, “They were over 5,000 and they filled the whole community. They carried all kinds of charms and a few of them even carried placards, protesting militant’s invasion of the South-West.
“They said they were ready to enter into the creeks to face the militants and kill them and all they needed was the permission of the traditional ruler. Some of them said they could transform to snakes and lions, once they get into the creeks.
“The traditional ruler, after thanking them for their concern, asked them to leave because he had not received authority from higher authorities to allow them fight the militants. He urged them to get approval from the government before doing anything in the community. ”
Also, President of the OPC group, Dare Adesope who confirmed that the members of the group stormed the community explained why they did to Punch.
He said, “On July 19, we issued a 14-day ultimatum to the militants to end their activities in the South-West and we said if they didn’t leave, we will challenge them and defend our people. That ultimatum elapsed yesterday (Monday).
“The recent military action against the militants might have been influenced by our ultimatum, because prior to the release, the Federal Government didn’t do anything.
“We decided to go to the community in 107 buses and some cars, to show that the Reformed OPC is still on the ground and our aim is to protect the lives and property of everyone that is residing within our area of jurisdiction.
“Our silence all this while is not an act of cowardice. It is because we believe in dialogue before action. It is wrong for anyone to be kidnapping, raping, robbing and killing our people. We say no to that and we don’t want anything like that again in Yoruba land. After today, if we hear anything again in the area, we know what to do.”