Following last weekend’s invasion of Oyo State Government House by Yoruba Nation agitators, Governors in the South-West geopolitical zone have made moves to quell any insurrection in the name of agitation, Daily Trust checks have shown.
The agitators had invaded the Government House following the declaration made by Ms. Modupe Abiola Onitiri, a wife of late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election.
Ms. Onitiri, who is outside Nigeria, had in a viral video pronounced herself the President of a new Sovereign State known as Yoruba Nation.
Prominent Yoruba nation agitators, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho and Chief Banji Akintoye had disowned her while calling for her arrest.
But some close aides of Abiola said Ms. Onitiri was not one of the officially recognised wives of Abiola.
The South-West States are however not taking the threat lightly as they have warned against any form of agitation or attempted overthrow of democratically elected Governors in the region.
The Oyo State government has described the attempt of some Yoruba Nation activists to take over the State secretariat as a treasonable felony.
The State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, told journalists on Monday that investigation is still ongoing while affirming that there were no death casualties during the gun exchange with the agitators.
“Attempting to barge into the hallowed chambers of legislature and take it over with an arsenal of seven pump action sub-machine guns, over 700 live cartridges, is clearly an act of terrorism,” he said.
The Commissioner added that sponsors of Saturday’s invasion of the Governor’s office and the State House of Assembly have succeeded in leading themselves into serious trouble.
In a related development, the State Police Command paraded 21 suspected Yoruba Nation agitators while a joint security force clamped down on the group’s hideout at Sanyo.
Daily Trust reports that the paraded suspects included a female and two elderly men in their sixties.
In his address, the State Commissioner of Police, CP. Adebola Hamzat confirmed the arrest of the 21 suspected agitators while warning others who have a criminal mindset to leave the State.
Earlier, a joint security operation had succeeded in busting a hideout of the attackers. This led to the recovery of a cache of weapons.
Upon receiving information about the whereabouts of the agitators, the Oluyole Security Surveillance Team (OSST), led by Comrade Idowu alerted other security agencies, including the Sanyo Police station.
Acting on the provided intelligence, the police organised and apprehended the suspects as they attempted to transport their weaponry from Sanyo to an undisclosed location.
Also, this operation led to the discovery of another hideout of the agitators in the Shagari area. All seized weapons and other items are being held at the police station for further investigation.
Similarly, the Ondo State government has vowed to deal decisively with anyone planning to cause unrest in the state under the guise of agitating for the Yoruba nation.
The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Information, Olugbenga Omole, explained that the government will not support any action that can truncate the peace and harmony currently being enjoyed by the residents of the state.
Omole added that the government will also go against anyone or people working against the efforts of the federal government.
“We will arrest them here in Ondo. We will not support anybody that is against the federal government,” he said.
Secessionists to be treated as armed robbers – Ogun police
In Ogun State, our correspondent reports that there was no panic as residents went about their normal activities on Monday.
In Abeokuta, the state capital, it was also observed that there were no unusual security measures.
But the police in the state have described the suspected secessionists as armed robbers, saying they would be treated as such.
The Police spokesman, Omolola Odutola, on Monday said, “They are armed robbers, even the leader of the so called Yoruba Nation has come out to disown them.
“It has some political colouration, because I don’t see how some people will just wake up one morning and start carrying knives and start disturbing the peace of a state. The ones in Oyo State, were all arrested.”
She added, “There is no cause for panic. We don’t know them, anybody that is arrested will be charged with sedition or treasonable felony because you can’t just come up with a country within a country.
“They are armed robbers who want to go and attack innocent people and give it a political colouration. We will deal with them squarely.”
Onitiri not official wife of late Abiola – Aide
Speaking with our correspondent, Dr. Wale Fasakin, an aide of late MKO Abiola stated that Onitiri who pronounced herself as the President of a new Yoruba Nation is not one of the officially recognised wives of late Abiola.
He said, “She is not one of the officially recognised wives. The agitators are saying Oduduwa Nation. The Yoruba Nation she is talking about, I don’t know what she wants to achieve. Where does she get the power to organise such a thing? How can they organise such a thing?
“She is not one of the recognised official wives – the official wives are four – Kudirat, Simbiatu, Bisi, and Doyin. She may be Abiola’s wife but she is not one of the wives declared when he was campaigning.
“These were the people living in his house. When Simbi died, those living with him were three. Those are the three he referred to as official wives during the Hope 93 Campaign. So Onitiri is not one of the official wives,” Fasakin said.
Reps S/West Caucus condemns agitators
Meanwhile, the South West Caucus in the House of Representatives has condemned the attacks carried out on the Oyo State House of Assembly by some Yoruba Nation agitators.
The condemnation was contained in a statement by the leadership of the Caucus on Monday jointly signed by its chairman, Rep. Abiodun James Faleke, Rep. Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga and Rep.Taofeek Ajilesoro.
They flayed the action of the acclaimed Yoruba Nation agitators which caused unrest and posed a threat to the peace and stability of the South West region.
“As representatives of the people, we stand firmly against any form of unlawful behavior and violence that undermines the rule of law and the unity of our country, Nigeria. It is essential that all grievances and demands be addressed through peaceful and lawful means, respecting the rights and well-being of all citizens.
“We urge all parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue, prioritize the welfare of our people, and work towards finding peaceful and lasting solutions to any grievances,” the statement added.
Chairman of the South West Caucus, Faleke said violence and lawlessness had no place in the society and called on all individuals to uphold the principles of peace, unity, and respect for the rule of law.
“The South West Caucus remains committed to upholding the values of democracy, justice, and unity in our region and the country at large. Together, we can overcome challenges and build a better future for all,” he added.
@Daily Trust