Police in Oyo State have arrested 20 suspected Yoruba nation agitators over Saturday’s alleged invasion of the state’s House of Assembly complex in Ibadan.
A group of persons allegedly invaded the complex located at the Government Secretariat vicinity in an attempt to take it over.
Police spokesman in Oyo State, SP Adewale Osifeso confirmed the arrest of the suspects in a statement he issued in Ibadan.
Osifeso stated that the 20 suspects arrested had in their possession three pump action guns, 29 life cartridges, two expended cartridges, 67 cutlasses, five bulletproof vests and six pairs of boots,
They also had in their possession, 10 Public Address Systems, three berets with Oodua insignia crafted on them, seven belts, 11 Oodua Nation camouflage uniforms, one unregistered bus and three motorcycles, he added.
Osifeso stressed that the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies successfully thwarted the attempt by the agitators to forcefully take over the secretariat.
“The suspects who wore military camouflage came heavily armed in an unregistered bus and had cutlasses, pump action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms and an Oodua Nation agitation flag with them.
“They were overpowered and completely suppressed by officers and men of the police in concert with those of sister security agencies,” he stated.
Osifeso described the act of the suspects as criminal and unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism.
He assured that appropriate punishment would be meted to those found culpable, while the police would continue to protect law-abiding citizens.
The spokesman stated that the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Adebola Hamzat already ordered an investigation and an enlargement of the dragnet to arrest others connected with the incident.
In a separate statement, the Nigerian Army said that the Yoruba nation adherents had engaged the troops in a shootout.
“Troops, utilizing superior firepower, successfully subdued the attackers, who subsequently retreated in disarray. As a result of this engagement, nine members of the irredentist group were apprehended, while one Semi Automatic Pump Action rifle and ammunition were recovered.
“We assure members of the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of the general area.
“We urge the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate security agencies. The safety and security of the citizenry remain a priority, as we will continue to work tirelessly to maintain peace and order in the region,” the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu said.
NAN
