Police Parade 21 Yoruba Nation Agitators

By Rasheedah Makinde

The police have paraded twenty-one suspected Yoruba Nation agitators who invaded the Oyo State Secretariat over the weekend.

Parading the suspects at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele Ibadan, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Adebola Hamzat said some men dressed in military-like camouflage, armed with pump action semi-automatic rifles, riding on motorcycles, were sighted moving into the main city from Olomi axis of Ibadan.

He noted that the hoodlums who were later identified as Yoruba Nation Agitation Group were trailed to the Oyo Government State Secretariat, where they spread from the secretariat flyover into the premises of the Governor’s Office, and hoisted their flag at the House of Assembly Complex, proclaiming the creation of a “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba”.

The police commissioner explained that with the police reinforcement, the miscreants were warned to dispatch but agitators turned violent and opened fire on the police and a detachment of Amotekun Corps was present.

Mr Hamzat said the police responded and were joined by Operation Burst Patrol teams and personnel of other security agencies who suppressed the treason and dealt with the agitators in line with Standard Operating Procedure, SOP.

The police boss noted that the suspects would soon be charged in court after proper investigations.

While declaring the act as criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism which would be met with adequate sanctions after thorough purposeful prosecutions, the commissioner reassured the people of Oyo State that it remains solidly unwavering in the protection of their lives and property as constitutionally required by the laws of the land.

Mr Hamzat said the continued existence of Nigeria as a sovereign indivisible entity was a task that must be accomplished.

“The labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain. Oyo State Police Command will be unrelenting in ensuring the continued united corporate existence of Nigeria as a country“.

“As a parent, I enjoin other parents, guardians and leaders in every sphere of political, religious and socio-economic influence to prevail on their children, ward, protégés and followers against being used by unpatriotic individuals to promote anarchy in the state and by extension, nation.“

The police commissioner warned the criminally-minded people that Oyo State was home to many responsible, hospitable and extremely intelligent individuals who pride themselves on creativity, hard-work and resourcefulness.

“Under my watch, it would not be reduced to a playground for the criminally minded and obviously misguided individuals or group who intend making their livelihood from distorting the relative tranquility enjoyed by the good people of the State”, He stressed.

“To this end, while the security architecture of the command has been immediately reviewed to enable it tackle the present day realities, 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.”

He said he had ordered Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, heads of tactical teams and formations throughout the command to lead security operations from the frontline.

Mr Hamzat said they shall include; intelligence-led motorized patrols with relevant sister security services, intensive stop and search, surveillance routines around places of residence, national critical infrastructures and raids to rid the state of criminal elements.

“Patriotic citizens of Oyo State, the business of security is for us all. If you see something, say something and the police will immediately do something. In case of emergency, the Command can always be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 08081768614 with 615 (toll free)”.

Reacting, one of the agitators, who is also a lecturer said Yoruba has the right to have their own nation and they were surprised when some security personnel distrusted them while trying to hoist the Yoruba nation’s flag at the secretariat.

Other paraded suspected agitators said they were ignorant of their actions and pleaded for leniency.

Our correspondent reports that exhibits recovered from the suspects included: –