20 suspects who claim to be Oodua Nation supporters have been arrested by Oyo state police command for invading the state’s secretariat on Saturday, April 13, while armed.
It was gathered that the gunmen drove to the secretariat in a grey Toyota Hiace bus and on two motorcycles, which have now been seized and taken to the State Police Headquarters.
About 10 of the invaders blocked the Secretariat-Total Garden Road to enable other members of the group force their way into the secretariat complex.
The others went straight to the State House of Assembly premises located within the secretariat where they removed the Nigerian national flag and replaced it with their O’odua Nation flag.
Spokesperson for the command, Adewale Osifeso, said three Pump Action guns, 291 life cartridges, two expended cartridges, 67 cutlasses and five bulletproof vests were recovered.
Other items include six pairs of boots, 10 megaphones (public address system), three Oodua beret caps, seven belts, 11 Oodua Nation Army camouflage uniforms, one unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan Bus and three TVS Motorcycles.
Osifeso said the agitators, who are driven by a separatist agenda, made an attempt to forcefully take over the Oyo State Government Secretariat but their move was thwarted by officers from the Command in concert with personnel of sister security agencies.
The police said the action of the invaders, who were dressed in military camouflage, is a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism. It was added that they would face the consequences of their action as provided by the law.
The statement read;
“Today, Saturday 13/04/2024 at about 0915hrs the valiant and eagle eyed operatives of the Oyo State Police Command in concert with some members of its sister agencies, successfully thwarted an attempt by hoodlums suspected to be members of the ‘Yoruba Nation Agitation Group’ driven by a separatist agenda in an attempt to forcefully take over the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi-Ibadan.
“The suspects, who were in military camouflages, came heavily armed in an unregistered silver-coloured Nissan Urban Caravan bus containing cutlasses, pump action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms and an O’dua Nation agitation flag.
“Thankfully, they were overpowered and completely suppressed by officers and men of the Command in concert with sister security agencies who acted in swift response to intelligence gathered in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the situation.
“In all, (20) twenty suspects have been arrested in possession of; (3) Three Pump Action Guns, (291)Two Hundred and Ninety-One life Cartridges, (2) Two Expended Cartridges, (67) Sixty-Seven Cutlasses, (5) Five Bullet Proof Vest, (6) Six Pair of Boots, (10) Ten Megaphone (Public Address System),(3) Three Oodua Styles Beret Caps, (7) Seven Belts, (11) Eleven Oodua Nation Army Camouflage Uniforms, (1) One Unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan Bus and (3) Three TVS Motor Motorcycles.
“While declaring this act as criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony & terrorism which would be met with adequate sanctions under the laws of the land, the Command assures the good citizens of Oyo State that it remains unwavering in the protection of their lives and property.
“Sequel to the above, the Commissioner of Police has detailed a highly powered investigation team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to demystify circumstances surrounding the incident and as well expand the network of arrests through painstaking intelligence driven investigation.
“The Oyo State Police Command enjoins residents to be generous with information and cooperate with the Command in a bid to rid the State of Criminal elements whose intent is to propagate their separatist agenda.
“More updates would be provided accordingly. If you see something, say something and the Police will immediately do something.
“In cases of emergency, the Command can always be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 615 (Toll free) (Oyo State Security Response Center.), and Oyo State Police Command Emergency line 08081768614”
