By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Oyo State Police Command on Monday paraded the 21 Yoruba Nation agitators arrested on Saturday during their invasion of Oyo State Government Secretariat to forcefully take over the secretariat.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebola Hamzat at a press briefing at Oyo state Police headquarters, Eleyele said the Nigeria Police is committed to ensuring continued united corporate existence of Nigeria as a country.
CP Hamzat said the arrested 20 males and one female are now in the custody of the state Police command in connection with the invasion of the Oyo state Government Secretariat last Saturday.
Re-assuring the people of Oyo State that the command remains solidly unwavering to the protection of their lives and property as constitutionally required by the laws of the land declared that the invasion act was “criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism to be meted with adequate sanctions through purposeful prosecutions,
” The continued existence of Nigeria as a sovereign indivisible entity is a task that must be accomplished. The labor 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”, he said
CP Hamzat added, ” On Saturday, 13/04/2024 at about 0855hrs, information was received that 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”.
” At about 0915hrs, the hoodlums later known as Yoruba Nation Agitation Group were trailed to the State Secretariat, spreading from the Flyover to within the Premises of the Governor’s Office, and hoisted their Flag at the House of Assembly, proclaiming the creation of a “democratic republic of the Yoruba.”
CP Hamzat stressed ” With Police re-inforcement, the miscreants were warned to dispatch. The agitators turned violent and opened fire on the Police and a detachment of Amotekun corps present. 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)”
” A Total of (21) Twenty-One Suspects were arrested, (7) Seven rifles made up of (5) Five English Pump Action semi-automatic rifles, (2) Two Wooden double barreled guns and other items of exhibits as displayed, were recovered.
CP Hamzat then charged 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.
While warning criminally minded people to stay away from Oyo state, he said ” Oyo State is home to many responsible, hospitable and extremely intelligent individuals who pride themselves with 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.
