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The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), a leading Yoruba socio-cultural organization, has dissociated itself from individuals allegedly linked to the kidnapping of members of the Adelabu family, insisting that those involved are neither bona fide members of the group nor affiliated with it in any capacity.
In a statement signed by Otunba Wasiu Afolabi, OPC President, “Our members subscribe to not just a physical registration but a spiritual oath that they will invite disaster upon their head if they indulge in any act of criminality: and they know the full repercussion of involving in law-breaking, especially against a fellow Yoruba person,” he said.
According to Afolabi, a few members found wanting in the past had been used as scapegoats through being subjected to public disgrace and expulsion.
Commending the police for the recovery of the Adelabu family members, Afolabi said that the speed with which the case was resolved showed there was no hiding place for criminals in Yoruba land.
He urged the security agencies to marshal the similar urgency towards the liberation of the kidnapped 39 pupils and seven teachers taken by terrorists in Ogbomosho area of Oyo State.
According to him, the group had often offered to assist the government in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and killings.
“We still maintain that we OPC have the numerical capacity, the spiritual resources and the physical acumen to assist the society and the government to fight these raging occurrences of insecurity. Although the governments of the South-West have not invited us, we assure them that our offer is still on the table,” he said.
According to him, the OPC code of discipline would preclude any member from involvement in the kidnapping of the Adelabu family members.
“OPC remains one of this 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 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.”
The statement further states that it was on record that the organisation regularly assisted law-enforcement agencies to crack criminal cases and provided neighbourhood security services; therefore it could not be associated with criminality.
Afolabi said that any criminal of the Yoruba stock could claim association with any group, but that any arrested criminal or suspect flaunting the name of OPC was an impersonator and should be made to face the full wrath of the law.
Meanwhile, the group has rolled out phone lines through which its leaders can be urgently contacted 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.
