The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Hazmat Adebola, held a press conference on Monday where he presented 21 individuals suspected to be Yoruba Nation agitators.
These individuals were accused of invading the state Governor’s Office and the House of Assembly on Saturday morning. Adebola strongly condemned their actions, labeling them as criminal, unpatriotic, and tantamount to treasonable felony and terrorism, for which they would face appropriate legal consequences.
Among the individuals paraded was a 55-year-old lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Special) in Oyo State, Alabi Ogundeji, who openly expressed no remorse for his involvement in the invasion. Similarly, Ademola Adeniyi, a 29-year-old phone repairer, also arrested during the incident, stated that he had no regrets about joining the struggle.
The Yoruba Nation agitators had stormed the Oyo State Secretariat, Agodi in Ibadan, causing panic among the residents and road users. Masked men dressed in army camouflage, armed with rifles and charms, were stationed at various locations within the area. The security personnel present were unable to disperse the agitators until reinforcements from the state command, along with members of the Nigerian Army, 2 Division, arrived to restore order.
The Oyo State Government reacted strongly to the incident, describing the invasion of the state secretariat as an act of treason. Dotun Oyelade, the state Commissioner for Information, condemned the act, emphasizing that there are more peaceful means of expressing grievances rather than resorting to violence. Oyelade reiterated that Oyo State remains one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria and that Saturday’s incident does not change that perception.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi (retd), the Corps Commander of Amotekun Corps in Osun State, issued a warning against unlawful gatherings under the guise of Yoruba Nation agitation in the state. Adewinmbi emphasized that Amotekun would not permit any Yoruba Nation protests within Osun State. He stated that the demands of the agitators have already been addressed indirectly, considering that the President, Senator Bola Tinubu, is of Yoruba descent. Adewinmbi urged the agitators to focus on supporting the President’s governance and refrain from creating insecurity or distractions.
