Nigerian Army Reacts as Yoruba Nation Rebels Invade Ibadan Secretariat, Hoist Flag, Photos Emerge
by by Ridwan Adeola · Legit.ng News · Join- Personnel of the Nigerian Army have arrested several separatists in Ibadan, Oyo state, southwest Nigeria
- Yoruba Nation agitators invaded the Oyo state government secretariat causing panic among residents and businesspersons
- A statement by Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, stated that the agitators engaged troops in a gun duel upon sighting them at the secretariat
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public journalism.
Ibadan, Oyo state - The Nigerian Army has confirmed the invasion of the Oyo state secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The Army said its officers "promptly responded" to the incident and "had contact with adherents of the Yoruba Nation dressed in foreign military camouflage with berets and armed with dangerous weapons in buses and motorbikes".
In a statement on Saturday evening, April 13, Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, said upon encountering soldiers, the armed Yoruba Nation separatists engaged Nigerian security agents in a shootout in the Oyo state capital.
Pictures of exhibits and arrested suspects were shared on X (formerly Twitter).
The Army's statement partly reads:
"Troops, utilising 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."
Furthermore, the army stated that its men are on the track of the fleeing separatists, and the situation is under control.
Meanwhile, following the incident, 'Ibadan' is currently trending on X, with some social media users urging the government to be proactive.
Read more about Yoruba Nation:
- Nigerian Army to decide fate of Yoruba Nation separatist leader, Sunday Igboho
- Igboho dropped Yoruba Nation agitation due to Tinubu presidency? Activist speaks
- Jubilation as Sunday Igboho returns to Nigeria, videos, details emerge
Sunday Igboho speaks on Ibadan incident
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Sunday Igboho said he knew nothing about the invasion of the Oyo state government secretariat earlier in the day.
Speaking through Olayomi Koiki, his media aide during a Facebook Live monitored by Legit.ng, Igboho distanced himself from the infraction.
In a similar vein, Professor Banji Akintoye, the former leader of Ilana Omo Oodua, alleged that another separatist leader, Abiola Onitiri, was behind the incident.