Police parade Yoruba nation agitators, promise to apprehend sponsors

Police in Oyo State are on the trail of sponsors of Yoruba nation agitators who invaded the government secretariat in Ibadan on Saturday.

The agitators invaded the Oyo State House of Assembly complex located inside the secretariat and hoisted their flag there in an attempt to take over the assembly.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr. Adebola Hamzat, paraded 21 of the agitators arrested before newsmen in Ibadan on Monday.

He said some of those arrested had been listing the names of their sponsors and that police had visited some locations within Oyo State where some incriminating items were recovered.

Hamzat recalled that a member of Amotekun Corps (the security network of states in the Southwest) was injured during the invasion, just as one of the agitators who resisted arrest got injured in a gun duel with the police.

He stressed that the police were not aware of any deaths during the incident.

“On Saturday, at about 8:55 a.m., information was received that some men, dressed in military-like camouflage and armed with pump-action semi-automatic rifles, were sighted on motorcycles around Olomi and moving into Ibadan.

“At about 9:15 a.m., the hoodlums, later known as the Yoruba Nation Agitation Group, were trailed to the State Secretariat and to the premises of the governor’s office.

“They hoisted their flag at the House of Assembly, proclaiming the creation of a `Democratic Republic of the Yoruba.

“With police reinforcement, the miscreants were warned to disperse. The agitators turned violent and opened fire on the police, with a detachment of Amotekun Corps present,’’ Hamzat said.

He said the police responded and were joined by operatives of other security agencies who suppressed the treason.

The police commissioner also told newsmen that five pump-action semi-automatic rifles, two wooden double-barrel guns, and other exhibits were recovered from the agitators.

Also recovered were two jackets, 30 pieces of torch lights, 49 bells, five horse whips, seven pieces of walkie-talkies and accessories, four generators, 72 pairs of camouflage uniforms, and 405 live cartridges.

Hamzat described the action of the suspects as criminal, unpatriotic, and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism to be met with adequate sanctions through purposeful prosecutions.

He assured that the police would remain steadfast in the protection of lives and property.

“The continued existence of Nigeria as a sovereign, indivisible entity is a task that must be accomplished.

“The labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain. The police in Oyo State will be unrelenting in ensuring the continued corporate existence of Nigeria as a country,’’ Hamzat stressed.

Speaking with newsmen, one of the suspects said he had no regret for his action and that the action was not treasonable.

He argued that the action of the agitators was legal and that their sponsors had documents stating that the UN and ECOWAS had given recognition to the Yoruba nation’s existence.

Another suspect said the agitators were promised jobs and good conditions of living if the Yoruba nation became a reality.