AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, the umbrella body of the Yoruba self-determination group, has disowned the attackers of the Oyo State House Assembly and the state secretariat at Agodi, Ibadan, the state capital, on Saturday, describing the suspects as ‘hoodlums’ trying to hide under the name of the association to do evil.
The group condemned the attackers, who claimed to be members of the Yoruba nation agitators in a statement issued on Sunday, April 14, in response to the violent protest by some people at the state secretariat in Ibadan.
The statement titled, ‘Important disclaimer,’ e-signed by Yemi Akindele, General Secretary, Ilana Omo Oodua, read that the attack by the impostors was needless and uncalled for.
The statement read, “The attention of ILANA OMO OODUA Worldwide has been drawn to the unfortunate incident of a needless attack on the Oyo State House of Assembly by hoodlums disguised as Yoruba Nation agitators on the 13th of April, 2024.
“The entire membership of ILANA OMO OODUA Worldwide, the umbrella body representing all agitating groups under the leadership of the founder and chairman, Prof. Emeritus Banji Akintoye, hereby denies any knowledge of such individuals and wishes to inform the public that the attackers are not members of Ilana Omo Oodua worldwide.
“These criminal elements are not known to us and, as such, are not part of any genuine agitating groups demanding freedom for the Yoruba people.
“Our movement is devoid of any form of violence or confrontation with any arm of the government. Self-determination is backed by international law, and we are committed to achieving it without resorting to war.
“It is on record that all rallies organized by genuine agitating groups in Yorubaland have been conducted with proper notifications, peacefully and without any form of violence.
“We, therefore, condemn the needless attack on the Oyo State House of Assembly facility and urge the government to thoroughly investigate the incident, expose the sponsors and collaborators, and charge them with treasonable felony and terrorism.
“This action will serve as a deterrent to others who might contemplate such a deplorable act in the future.”
