The Sarkin Fulani of Igangan in Ibarapa North LGA of Oyo State, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir, says there is no truth behind the allegation that he negotiated ransoms with kidnappers in the community, daring his accusers to provide proof to back their accusations.
He stated this on Monday while reacting to the allegations laid by the community leaders when a delegation of the state government visited the town on a peace mission on Sunday.
Recall that youths allegedly led by Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho razed Abdulkadir’s house on Friday, alleging that he was complicit in the negotiation of ransom on behalf of kidnappers in the area.
The community members said that they had paid at least N50 million as ransom for wanton cases of kidnapping in the area.
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Speaking with Daily Trust, Abdulkadir challenged those making the allegations to prove that he was complicit.
“I never collected anything from kidnappers or their victims, it is a mere allegation.
“Let them present their evidence. They had been saying this before, and I have responded to their baseless claims on several radio programmes.
“Let them provide the evidence to the police and let police (take action) if it is true.
“I have been aiding the security agencies in tackling kidnapping in the area.
“We have the police who have arrested many kidnappers in that region with our aid,” the Sarkin Fulani stated.
According to him, the kidnappers in the community worked for a particular Yoruba thug.
“The kidnappers arrested were both Fulani and Yoruba. Among they were Taye and Keyinde, and they are the boys of a popular political thug. Their record is with the police,” he stated.
He equally denied having armed guards.
Abdulkadir also denied that Igboho was shot at his palace.