HUNDREDS of supporters of the Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularlly known as Sunday Igboho, on Wednesday, staged a protest at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, demanding the release of 13 of Igboho’s aides who were arrested last Thursday during an invasion by the Department of State Services on the Ibadan residence of the Yoruba nation agitator.
The youths also want the government to pay N500m damages as requested by Igboho’s lawyer for the destruction of his house and property during the invasion.
A representative of the youths, whose name could not be ascertained at press time stated the mission of the agitators.
He said, “You are our father, we do not know any governor or politician and we do not recognise them as our leaders. You are the only leader that we recognise and we know you have the authority to make them meet our demands.
“We want you to tell the DSS to reverse its declaration that Igboho is on its watch list. We want you to tell them to declare that Igboho is no more on its watch list. We want this done within seven days.
“We also give the DSS seven days to release all those arrested during the raid.
“Furthermore, we demand justice on Adogan and Alfa who were killed by DSS operatives during the midnight invasion.
“We give the government seven days to meet our demands or else we will come up with a mass action. We are not afraid of any DSS operative. We speak on behalf of 60 million Yoruba people. If DSS operatives can arrest 60 million Yoruba people, they should come around. We want our demands met within seven days.”
“After now, we will march to the palace of all Yoruba monarchs to make our demands known,” he added.
Responding on behalf of the Olubadan, one of his chiefs, said, “Igboho is no stranger to the king. The king has heard all your requests and will take the necessary steps as you leave here now. He will call his fellow kings and other stakeholders.”
The monarch, who listened to the whole session while seated, simply blessed the youths who dispersed thereafter.
Earlier, the youths had taken to the streets of Ibadan, the state capital, to protest last Thursday’s midnight invasion by DSS.
The protesters took off from Igboho’s house in the Sooka area of Ibadan around Noon on Wednesday and marched into the streets, chanting, “No retreat, no surrender!”, “Oodua Nation!”, “Sunday Igboho is not a criminal!” amongst other phrases, just as they carried placards displaying similar phrases.
