Offa Banks Robbery: Olawoyin, Popoola, McCarthy, others react on alleged involvement of NADECO chieftain, Ayo Opadokun’s son 

Adebayo Olodan and Mumini Abdulkareem

Divergent views have continued to trail the arrest of Kayode Opadokun, the 35-year-old son of the former Secretary General of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Ayo Opadokun over his role in the Offa banks robbery attack which led to the death of several police officers and civilians.
The younger Opadokun according to a statement by the police was recently arrested in Offa in connection with the crime and a barrette pistol and six (6) rounds of live ammunition were recovered from him. He was said to have admitted to the criminal roles he played in the bloody robbery incident. The College of Education Oro dropout was among 12 suspects arrested by the police in various locations both within and outside Kwara State in connection with the Offa banks robbery.
The statement issued by the police further said Kayode had earlier been released from prison three months ago after serving only eight months of his sentence years for armed robbery.
Reacting to report of Kayode’s alleged involvement in the dastardly act that took place in Offa, a former chairman of the Local Government, Chief Segun Olawoyin urged the Opadokun family to take solace in God and be prepared for the outcome of police investigation.
In a text message forwarded to this medium on Tuesday, Olawoyin, who is the Akinrogun of Offa,
Said, “There is a difference between the respected “Ayo Opadokun” and alleged “Kayode Opadokun,” in fact I am adding another respected ODU (Offa Descendants Union) leader on this platform “Segun Opadokun.”
“The two Opadokuns with exemption of Kayode are tested, trusted and reliable. Their characters have never been put to question. If all that had been established about the Opadokuns already, what then is the issue? I see no cause for worry here,” he said.
He added that having a good family is not an antidote for having bad offsprings.
“The Opadokun family should take solace from the God Almighty and be prepared for whatever is the outcome of police investigation.
“The lesson for the INNOCENT youths is that they should mind their companies and movements to avoid being easily trapped in a negative situation that will be difficult to defend,” he submitted.
Similarly, a prominent son of Offa and a member of the Kwara State House of Assembly representing Balogun/Ojomu Constituency, Hon Saheed Popoola stated that it was wrong for anyone to link the NADECO chieftain to the arrest of Kayode.
“I don’t know the connection of anybody arrested with him. But no matter what, Ayo Opadokun should not be linked to the attack because he remains a highly respected indigene of Offa with a very high international reputation.
“He has contributed immensely to the growth and development of our democracy. I commend the security agencies and the government for the swift response thus far. The issue only go on to highlight the porous security situation in Offa and everybody must rise up to the occasion for it not to happen again,” the former council chairman and commissioner for sports said.
However, when contacted, the Secretary of Offa Descendants Union (ODU), Mrs Wosilat McCarthy, who described as terrifying the fact that an indigene of Offa was linked to the bloodletting incident however declined further comment.
She said, “for Offa indigenes to be allegedly involved in the Offa robbery issue, who will not be sad about such situation but I don’t think I would want to react to such situation this time.”
Joining in the debate is a social media user, Nelson Biodun, he wrote; “What a mess, a nation builder that cannot build his family. Whether you disown him, he is still your son or will he disown the nation that is more bad than his child.
In the same vein, a social media user simply identified as Max said, “The right time to perfect your disownment is now that Kayode has brought public disgrace to your respected family name. That is if it is fully proven of his involvement in the crime and that he has not made any forced statement under duress.”