Some youths from parts of Oyo State, on Monday, marched to the State Secretariat, Agodi, to protest the spate of insecurity and the arrest of members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC).

The protesters, according to Punch were mainly youths from Ibarapaland, Oke-Ogun area of the state, where herdsmen have allegedly perpetrated crimes in recent times.

They were said to have stormed the secretariat around 10:40 a.m. to express their displeasure at the incessant crimes executed by herdsmen across the state.

The youths also protested the remand of the OPC men who arrested warlord Abdullahi Wakili, accused of sponsoring killer herdsmen in the state.

The OPC members who handed over Mr Wakili to the police, were subsequently arrested, charged with murder and arson, and remanded in prison.

The protesters displayed placards with inscriptions like “free the OPC 3 now”, and others condemning killings and kidnappings in the state.

One of the organisers of the protest, Oladiran Oladokun, who is also the Convener of Igangan Development Advocates, told The Punch that “We are here to protest the arrest and remand of the three OPC members in prison. These men are heroes, they risked their lives to arrest Wakili who has terrorised the people of Kajola, Ayete and other villages.

“They went to Wakili’s place and arrested him but the police turned against them and detained them. This is a bad signal to Nigerians on security issues.”

The state governor, Seyi Makinde’s spokesman, Taiwo Adisa, however, did not respond to calls, when contacted on the matter.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator of OPC and Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, told Daily Independent that police got “order from above” on the arrest of his men.

The rising state of insecurity and criminal related activities in Oyo has in recent times raised concerns among its residents.

This led to an issuance of a 7-day ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapaland by popular activist, Sunday “Igboho” Adeymo.