No fewer than three people suspected to be Yoruba nation agitators, who invaded Oyo state Secretariat have been killed in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
This is as the National Leader of the Yoruba Self Determination Movement, (YSDM), Professor Banji Akintoye, and the Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popular called Sunday Igboho disowned the group over the unwarranted attack.
Some people suspected to be Yoruba nation agitators stormed the Secretariat that housed the governor’s office, House of Assembly, ministries, agencies and some departments on Saturday.
The agitators were armed with amulets and some charms while singing solidarity songs claiming they wanted the Yoruba Nation.
It was gathered that the three were killed during a confrontation with security operatives, while five were arrested.
An old man with grey air bearing Yoruba Nation flags whose identity could not be confirmed as of press time was among those that were arrested.
The suspects have been taken to the State Police Command in Eleyele, Ibadan, for further questioning.
Meanwhile, the leader of Yoruba Self Determination group, Professor Banji Akintoye and the Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo popular called Sunday Igboho have distanced themselves from the group who invaded the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Saturday.
When contacted, the duo, in their separate remarks said they were not aware or have the backing of the individuals behind the action.
Speaking specifically, Professor Akintoye fingered one Modupe Onitiri Abiola, one of the wives of the late MKO Abiola to have been the brain behind the agitators.
He said the people involved are not fighting for Yoruba interest but against the Yorubas in their conduct.
He said information available to him suggests that the group had earlier appointed an interim government for the Yoruba Nation earlier and had chosen to install same by hosting their flag and take over the government of the region from the Oyo State secretariat, hence the deployment of their men in military camouflage.
Prof Akintoye said “I am not connected, I have no contact and I do not know anything about Dupe Onitiri and her group. I don’t know what they are doing. I learnt they are engaged in some sort of insanity in Ibadan but that is entirely they, and it has noting to do with me or people like Chief Sunday Igboho who are working with me.
“We are the authentic Yoruba Nation Movement. We are not connected or working with any Fulani to suppress the Yorubas in Nigeria. That is what Onitiri and people who are behind them, who we now know have been working with the Fulanis since the days of Babangida and Abacha time are doing.
“We are the people fighting for Youna Nation freedom and we will win the war peacefully and in an orderly manner.
“They are not struggling for the Yoruba Nation, they are struggling against the Yoruba Nation. I am not aware of the situation that happened in Ibadan until I was informed by Chief Sunday Igboho this morning. I am not part of it. They are nor from us. They are followers of Onitiri. It is a lunatic fringe. We in this struggle won’t act in such a manner.”
Also speaking, Sunday Igboho said he will never be involved in such madness noting that anytime he wants to engage in any struggle, he will always make it public and ensure that other stakeholders are carried along.
He said “I know nothing about it. I am not even aware of those behind it. If I am going to d anything, either for early or any struggle for Yoruba Nation, you know we will inform people ahead.
“We will announce our plans and all our leaders and other stakeholders will also be involved and we will collaborate to do so.
“So, anything they now do on their own, either they attack the government or military barrack or Police station, I know nothing about it and I am not part of it.”
