- The Agitators Insist On Hoisting Their Flag Within The Secretariat.
- We’re Not In Support Of Agitators -Sunday Igboho,Prof Akintoye
There was Chaos at Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan as it was attacked by suspected O’odua Nation agitators on Saturday.
These agitators occupied and attempted to overwhelm security operatives at the State Assembly complex and entire secretariat.
Security personnel within the state secretariat quickly called for backup, citing concerns about safely neutralizing the agitators.
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Sporadic gunfire ensued as a combination of security forces including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, the Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) converged on the scene to restore order and overpower the agitators.
A leader of Yoruba Self Determination group, Professor Banji Akintoye and Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho have distanced themselves from a group of agitators
The duo said they were not aware or in support of the agitators and their actions.
Akintoye said those involved were not fighting for Yoruba interests but against the Yorubas in their conducts.
He said available information indicated the group appointed an interim government for the Yoruba Nation and decided to take over the region from the Oyo State secretariat, which informed the deployment of men in military camouflage.
Prof Akintoye said: “I am not connected, I have no contact and I do not know anything about Onitiri and her group. I don’t know what they are doing.
” I learnt they are engaged in some sort of insanity in Ibadan but that is entirely they, and it has noting to do with me or people like Chief Sunday Igboho who are working with me.
“We are the authentic Yoruba Nation Movement. We are not connected. We are the people fighting for Youna Nation freedom and we will win the war peacefully and in an orderly manner.
“They are not struggling for the Yoruba Nation, they are struggling against the Yoruba Nation. I am not aware of the situation that happened in Ibadan until I was informed by Chief Sunday Igboho this morning. I am not part of it. They are not from us. They are followers of Onitiri. It is a lunatic fringe. We in this struggle won’t act in such a manner.”
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Sunday Igboho said he will never be involved in such madness noting that anytime he wants to engage in any struggle, he will always make it public and carry other stakeholders along.
He said “I know nothing about it. I am not even aware of those behind it. If I am going to do anything, either for early or any struggle for Yoruba Nation, you know we will inform people ahead.
“We will announce our plans and all our leaders and other stakeholders will also be involved and we will collaborate to do so.
“So, anything they now do on their own, either they attack the government or military barrack or Police station, I know nothing about it and I am not part of it.”
….. Police Arrest 20 Suspects Over Invasion Of Oyo Govt Secretariat
The police believe the invaders to be members of the Yoruba Nation organization have been arrested.
20 individuals have been detained by Oyo State police in connection with Saturday’s incursion of the state government building in Agodi, Ibadan. From the suspects, some firearms, ammunition, and ATMs were also found.
“In all, (20) twenty suspects have been arrested in possession of; (3) three pump action guns, (291)two hundred and ninety-one life cartridges, (2) two expended cartridges, (67) sixty-seven cutlasses, (5) five bulletproof vest, (6) six pair of boots, (10) ten megaphone (public address system),(3) three Oodua styles beret caps, (7) seven belts, (11) eleven Oodua Nation army camouflage uniforms, (1) one unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan bus and (3) three tvs motor motorcycles,” the Oyo State police command spokesman Osifeso Adewale said in a statement.
Police authorities said the invaders are suspected members of the Yoruba Nation group.
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The invaders who arrived at the place in buses had attempted to enter the Governor’s Office during the siege but the gallantry of security operatives frustrated that plot.
They wore masks and scarves and hoisted a flag – suspected to be that of the agitators – in the area during the early morning attack.
“The suspects, who were on military camouflages came heavily armed in an unregistered silver coloured Nissan Urban Caravan bus containing cutlasses, pump action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms, and an Oodua nation agitation flag,” the police said.
Witnesses said gunshots were heard following an exchange of fire between them and security agents.
In the wake of the invasion, a combined team of security operatives including soldiers took over the area, blocking entry and exit points to the Oyo State Government Secretariat. Traffic was thereafter diverted from the place.
But the police said investigations have been launched into the matter. The team leading it includes the “Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department”.
So far, the Oyo State Government has not commented on the matter.
