The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, on Monday thanked God for the safe return of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, following his reported removal from the Federal Government’s wanted list.
Igboho paid a thank-you visit to the Olubadan’s Bodija residence in Ibadan, the State capital, shortly after returning to Nigeria from exile.
Koiti Olayomi, the spokesman for the embattled Yoruba Nation activist, said on Sunday that all arrangements had been concluded for his principal’s return to Nigeria after prominent monarchs persuaded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Igboho’s name from the list of wanted persons.
According to Koiti, the traditional rulers who intervened include Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, among others.
Igboho fled Nigeria on July 1, 2021, following a raid on his Ibadan residence by a combined team of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army over allegations of stockpiling arms and ammunition.
The raid occurred amid Igboho’s campaign to evict armed Fulani herdsmen from the South-West in response to attacks on farmers.
During the raid, three of his aides were killed and 13 others arrested. Igboho fled to Benin Republic, intending to fly to Germany, but was arrested at Cotonou Airport on July 19, 2021, and detained for over a year before being released in March 2022.
Koiti said in a Sunday statement that Igboho has now been cleared by the Presidency and “may return to the country at any moment and will be fully reintegrated after his clearance has been granted.”
However, Igboho, who was accompanied by scores of supporters to the Olubadan’s residence in Ibadan, thanked the monarch for his intervention, which he said played a critical role in securing his freedom and eventual return to the country.
Speaking during the visit, Igboho thanked the Olubadan for standing by him during what he described as a difficult period.
“I thank God for knowing Kabiyesi. I am very happy that I met him, not knowing that he would be among those who would help me out of this problem,” Igboho said.
He added that Yoruba people across the world were grateful for the monarch’s intervention, noting that his return to Nigeria marked the end of a painful chapter in his life.
Responding, Oba Ladoja urged Igboho to take heart and remain hopeful.
“Where there is life, there is hope. We thank God that you have arrived safely,” he said.
The Olubadan also prayed for Igboho and his family, advising him to conduct himself with wisdom and restraint in the interest of peace and stability.
Written with reports from The PUNCH
