The Police Command in Oyo State is currently interrogating no fewer than 20 suspects who were arrested in the aftermath of Saturday’s invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat Ibadan by armed men who called themselves Oodua Nation supporters.
According to the spokesperson for the command, Adewale Osifeso, a Superintendent of Police (SP), among items recovered from the suspects were three Pump Action guns, 291 life cartridges, two expended cartridges, 67 cutlasses and five bulletproof vests.
Other items include six pairs of boots, 10 megaphones (public address system), three Oodua beret caps, seven belts, 11 Oodua Nation Army camouflage uniforms, one unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan Bus and three TVS Motorcycles.
According to a police official, the separatist-motivated agitators attempted to seize control of the Oyo State Government Secretariat by force, but officers from the Command, along with staff from other security agencies, stopped them.
He gave the name of the suspected hoodlums to be members of the “Yoruba Nation Agitation Group.”
The police labeled the action of the invaders, who were dressed in military camouflage, as a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism.
However, prominent Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo alias Igboho, and leader of the Yoruba Self Determination group, Prof. Banji Akintoye, distanced themselves from the actions of the invaders and their group.
They said they were neither aware nor backed the individuals behind the action.
Ibadan was momentarily gripped by tension as news of the invasion spread.
The state government however said the situation had been brought under control and asked residents to go about their normal activities.
The Police Command said the suspects would face the consequences of their action as provided by the law.
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It said: “Today, Saturday 13/04/2024 at about 0915hrs the valiant and eagle eyed operatives of the Oyo State Police Command in concert with some members of its sister agencies, successfully thwarted an attempt by hoodlums suspected to be members of the ‘Yoruba Nation Agitation Group’ driven by a separatist agenda in an attempt to forcefully take over the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi-Ibadan.
“The suspects, who were in military camouflages, came heavily armed in an unregistered silver-coloured Nissan Urban Caravan bus containing cutlasses, pump action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms and an O’dua Nation agitation flag.
“Thankfully, they were overpowered and completely suppressed by officers and men of the Command in concert with sister security agencies who acted in swift response to intelligence gathered in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the situation.
“In all, (20) twenty suspects have been arrested in possession of; (3) Three Pump Action Guns, (291)Two Hundred and Ninety-One life Cartridges, (2) Two Expended Cartridges, (67) Sixty-Seven Cutlasses, (5) Five Bullet Proof Vest, (6) Six Pair of Boots, (10) Ten Megaphone (Public Address System),(3) Three Oodua Styles Beret Caps, (7) Seven Belts, (11) Eleven Oodua Nation Army Camouflage Uniforms, (1) One Unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan Bus and (3) Three TVS Motor Motorcycles.
“While declaring this act as criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony & terrorism which would be met with adequate sanctions under the laws of the land, the Command assures the good citizens of Oyo State that it remains unwavering in the protection of their lives and property.
“Sequel to the above, the Commissioner of Police has detailed a highly powered investigation team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to demystify circumstances surrounding the incident and as well expand the network of arrests through painstaking intelligence driven investigation.
“The Oyo State Police Command enjoins residents to be generous with information and cooperate with the Command in a bid to rid the State of Criminal elements whose intent is to propagate their separatist agenda.
“More updates would be provided accordingly. If you see something, say something and the Police will immediately do something.
“In cases of emergency, the Command can always be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 615 (Toll free) (Oyo State Security Response Center.), and Oyo State Police Command Emergency line 08081768614”
The Nigerian Army, in a separate statement on X (formerly Twitter), said: “This is to notify the general public that today Saturday 13 April 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 dangerous weapons in buses and motorbikes.
“Upon encountering own 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 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.”
It was gathered that the gunmen drove to the secretariat in a grey Toyota Hiace bus and on two motorcycles, which have now been seized and taken to the State Police Headquarters.
About 10 of the invaders blocked the Secretariat-Total Garden Road to enable other members of the group force their way into the secretariat complex.
Those ones headed straight to the State House of Assembly premises located within the secretariat where they removed the Nigerian national flag and replaced it with their O’odua Nation flag.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Security, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said the situation had been brought under control.