Agbekoya condemns Yoruba separatist group’s hijack of radio station

A south-west socio-political group, the Agbekoya Society of Nigeria, has condemned the invasion and hijacking of a radio station in Ibadan by a Yoruba separatist group on Sunday.

Agbekoya, a parent organization of the Agbekoya Farmers Association, dissociated itself from the attacks in a statement issued on Monday by its Secretary General, Dr. Adegbenro Ogunlana, in Lagos.

Supreme reports that the suspected members of Oodua Nation agitators, on Sunday invaded the premises of Amuludun 99.1 FM in Moniya, a community radio of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) at 6.00 a.m.

About 20 agitators carrying various charms reportedly and forcefully entered the station, seized control of the live studio while a sponsored program was in progress, and proceeded to broadcast their own program.

Some claims the agitators made in their broadcast included “Oodua Nation has come to stay,” “Yoruba people are no longer under the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” and “The United Nations will soon recognize Oodua Nation.”

Reacting to the ugly incident, Ogunlana said the criminal gangs were funded and sponsored by unscrupulous politicians to demonize the integrity of the Yoruba.

He said: “The attacks on Radio Nigeria facilities within this period are not supported by Agbekoya, because that will not add any positive value to the struggle of the Yoruba race.”

According to him, the governor of the society in Oyo State, Chief Ahmen Bankole, equally condemned the invasion of the radio station.

He reported Bankole as describing the action of the invaders as lawless and profoundly criminal.

“We have no relationship whatsoever with the group that has repeatedly engaged in crime, and we have no hand in their criminal conduct,” Bankole was quoted as saying.

Supreme reports that five of the agitators were arrested by security agents and paraded by the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday.