AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
No fewer than nine members of the Yoruba nation have been arrested by troops of the Nigerian Army following a gun battle in Oyo State.
Reports had it that some people, believed to be Yoruba nation agitators, invaded the Oyo State Government secretariat at Agodi, Ibadan in Oyo State.
The agitators reportedly occupied the secretariat, attempting to overpower security operatives at the state Assembly complex and the secretariat.
It was gathered that the agitators removed the Nigerian flag within the Assembly complex and hoisted their own.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, indicated that the agitators engaged troops in a gun duel at the secretariat.
The statement read that the troops overpowered the agitators who were dressed in foreign military camouflage with berets and arrested nine while others escaped.
“This is to notify the general public that today, Saturday, April 13, 2024, sequel to the report of an attack on the State Secretariat Agodi, Ibadan, Oyo State, troops promptly responded to the incident and had contact with adherents of the Yoruba nation dressed in foreign military camouflage with berets and armed with weapons in buses and motorbikes.
“Upon encountering their troops, the Yoruba nation adherents engaged the troops in a shootout. Troops, utilising superior firepower, successfully subdued the attackers who subsequently retreated in disarray. As a result of this engagement, nine members of the irredentist group were apprehended,” the statement read.
It was gathered that a semi-automatic pump-action rifle and ammunition were recovered from the agitators.
The statement added, “While one semi-automatic pump-action rifle and ammunition were recovered, currently, troops are on the track of the fleeing adherents, and the situation is under control.
“We assure members of the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the general area.
“We urge the public to remain calm and vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate security agencies. The safety and security of the citizenry remain a priority as we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and order in the region.”
Interestingly however, key Yoruba Nation activists like Sunday Adeyemo (popularly known as Sunday Igboho) and Prof. Banji Akintoye, have publicly disassociated themselves from the invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat by the agitators.
