On Saturday morning, there were reports that Yoruba nation agitators invaded the Oyo State government secretariat in the Agodi area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The agitators reportedly occupied and attempted to overpower security operatives at both the State Assembly complex and the entire secretariat.
According to reports, the agitators removed the Nigerian flag within the Assembly complex and hoisted their own.
However, a statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, noted that the agitators engaged troops in a gun duel upon sighting them at the secretariat.
He stated that the troops overpowered the agitators who were dressed in foreign military camouflage with berets, and arrested nine of them while others escaped.
The statement read, “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. ”
Onyema added that a semi-automatic pump-action rifle and ammunition were recovered from the agitators.
He noted that efforts to arrest fleeing members of the group are ongoing.
“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,” the statement added.
He, however, urged the citizens to remain calm and report suspicious activities to security agencies in the neighbourhoods.
Onyema said, “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.”
The PUNCH reports that key Yoruba Nation activists, Sunday Adeyemo (popularly known as Sunday Igboho) and Professor Banji Akintoye, have publicly disassociated themselves from the invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat by the agitators.
