Security Forces Thwart Yoruba Nation Agitators’ Attempt to Seize Oyo Secretariat, 18 Arrested, 2 Injured

… Oyo security task force restores peace after armed group invades government facilities in Ibadan

Oyo state security task force has arrested Eighteen and injured two members of the Yoruba Nation agitator’s that invaded Oyo state government secretariat who put on mask to hijack the government.

The agitator’s who were in Army Camouflage and armed with rifles were stationed at strategic points in the secretariat.

While some manned the entrance to the Governor’s Office gate others were seen at the entrance to the State House of Assembly Gate and others at the main entrance among others posts before they were arrested.

Speaking with Journalists after the arrest, The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, Compol Fatai Owoseni said that the security personnel have overcomed the situation and the state capital is in peace.

He further noted that invaders have been arrested by the security personnel and they will be prosecuted by the Nigerian Police.

Compol Owoseni averred that “Ibadan is calm, oyo state is calm.

“His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde is in top of the situation, what I think is happening is that some miscreants ceased the opportunity of a function been held at the house of chief to come here as probably as part of the people holding a function only for them to turned out to be found that they are hoodlum in camouflage and when they are challenged they also challenged the security people.

“Thank God there is an overwhelming presence of the security, police, the Commissioner of Police and everyone here came on time, you have seen that they have been joined by the military operation burst and the Amotekun, They have overcome them.

“Why do I say they are on cheap drugs, is because how do you to the seat of government under the guise that they are Yoruba Nation members that they have come to take the rightful leadership of Yorubaland in seat of government in Ibadan here.

“They have been overcome, they have been overwhelmingly dealt with, arrest have been made and of course those of them that have the affront also exchange in gun battle with the security people have also been dealt with appropriately.

“The situation is still an ongoing process, some of them we learnt had run into different places, they are pulling out their camouflage to disguise, some of them have attempted to take Okada’s and Vehicles from civilians, but i can tell you that Oyo State is peaceful, Ibadan is calm and of course our security network with synergy that we have in place, they have been up to task.

“Of course this is just a by the way thing, it could be liken to a treasonable felony, this is an insurrection and of course no government will watch and allow some people on cheap drugs to come and do such a thing.

“Appropriate sanction will be taken and it still an on-going process.

“We want to use this opportunity, incase any of you is getting it out live, to tell our people in the state especially in Ibadan and in this environment, when they see people in Military camouflage and trying to pull it off, they should please say something and call the attention of the security people.

“On behalf of His Excellency, I will also use this opportunity to tell our people in Ibadan that Ibadan is safe, Oyo state is safe and this minor situation has been overcome and we have overwhelming presence of the security personnel combined that are dealing with situation.

Meanwhile. Speaking with the leader of Yoruba Self Determination group, Professor Banji Akintoye and the Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly called Sunday Igboho have distanced themselves from the group who invaded the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Saturday.

When contacted, the duo, in their separate remarks said they were not aware or have the backing of the individuals behind the action.

Speaking specifically, Professor Akintoye fingered one Modupe Onitiri Abiola, one of the wives of the late MKO Abiola to have been the brain behind the agitators.

He said the people involved are not fighting for Yoruba interest but against the Yorubas in their conduct.

Professor Akintoye said information available to him suggests that the group had earlier appointed an interim government for the Yoruba Nation earlier and had chosen to install same by hosting their flag and take over the government of the region from the Oyo state secretariat, hence the deployment of their men in military camouflage.
 
Prof Akintoye said “I am not connected, I have no contact and I do not know anything about Dupe 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 or working with any Fulani to sppress the Yorubas in Nigeria. That is what Onitiri and people who are behind them, who we now know have been working with the Fulanis since the days of Babangida and Abacha time are doing.
 
“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 nor from us. They are followers of Onitiri. It is a lunatic fringe. We in this struggle won’t act in such a manner.”

Also speaking, 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 ensure that other stakeholders are carried along.
 
He said “I know nothing about it. I am not even aware of those behind it. If I am going to d 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.”