CITIZENS COMPASS– Security personnel in Oyo State on Saturday, April 13, 2023, arrested 20 suspected Yoruba nation agitators, for their alleged role in the invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan.
The agitators had, on Saturday morning, invaded the secretariat and took over some parts attempting to hoist a flag.
Spokesman for the Command, Adewale Osifeso, disclosed this in a statement.
He said the suspects were dressed in military camouflage and were armed with cutlasses, pump action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms and an O’dua nation agitation flag.
The statement reads, “Today, Saturday 13/04/2024 at about 0915hrs, the valiant and eagle-eyed operatives of the state police command in concert with some members of its sister agencies, successfully thwarted an attempt by hoodlums suspected to be members of the ‘’Yoruba Nation Agitation Group’ driven by a separatist agenda, in an attempt to forcefully take over the State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
“The suspects, who were in military camouflages came heavily armed in an unregistered silver coloured Nissan urban caravan bus containing cutlasses, pump action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms and an O’dua nation agitation flag.
“They were were overpowered and completely suppressed by officers and men of the command in concert with sister security agencies who acted in swift response to intelligence gathered in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure to the situation.
“In all, 20 suspects have been arrested in possession of three Pump Action Guns, 291 life cartridges, two expended cartridges, 67 cutlasses, five bullet proof vests, six pairs of boots, 10 megaphones (Public Address System), three Oodua styles beret caps, seven belts, 11 Oodua nation Army camouflage uniforms, one unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan Bus and three TVS motor motorcycles.”
described their action as criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony & terrorism which would be melted with adequate sanctions under the laws of the land.
Osifeso, however, assured the public of the command’s unwavering protection of their lives and property.
Meanwhile, the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, and the former leader of Ilana Omo Oodua, Professor Banji Akintoye, have distanced themselves from the agitators’ invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat on Saturday.
Speaking through his media aide, Olayemi Koiki, in a Facebook Live, Igboho said he was unaware of the invasion, stating that all rallies are usually announced beforehand.
He added that those involved in the invasion are not part of Yoruba Nation.
“I know nothing about it and I don’t know those behind it. If we want to organise a rally or any Yoruba Nation activity, we usually make an announcement beforehand.
“Any person that said he is agitating for Yoruba Nation and is going to attack government facilities, that person or group is on his own; I don’t know anything about it.”
Corroborating Igboho’s claims, Akintoye distanced himself from the invasion.
