On April 14, 2024, a group of Yoruba Nation agitators was arrested after they stormed the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan. The incident, involving 21 individuals, escalated to the point of intervention by various security forces, including the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Division. The group, which included a 55-year-old lecturer and a 29-year-old phone repairer, was paraded by the Oyo State Police Commissioner, Hazmat Adebola, at the Eleyele Police Headquarters.
Commissioner Adebola labeled the event as an act of “treasonable felony and terrorism,” warranting stern repercussions. The group’s intent was to highlight their claim to Yoruba as a sovereign entity, separate from Nigeria, a stance they backed with historical and recent actions, including serving official letters to Yoruba-speaking states and declaring Yoruba an indigenous nation.
During the parade, Alabi Ogundeji, the lecturer involved, expressed no regrets, viewing his participation as a lawful act under both Nigerian and international laws. He detailed the group’s steps toward establishing Yoruba sovereignty, from petitions to declarations and global notifications. Ademola Adeniyi, another agitator, voiced frustrations common among the group, citing systemic failures and hardships in Nigeria.
The police disclosed the seizure of various items including weapons, security equipment, and symbols of the Yoruba Nation, underscoring the serious nature of the invasion. This incident has sparked a broad condemnation, with the state government and local security forces reiterating their commitment to maintaining peace and condemning the disruption.
In response to the situation, Brig. Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi of the Amotekun Corps in Osun State warned against similar agitations, asserting that with President Bola Tinubu, a Yoruba, currently leading Nigeria, the objectives of the Yoruba Nation are indirectly being met. He emphasized the importance of national unity and governance over separatist movements.
This event highlights the ongoing tensions in Nigeria regarding ethnic identities and the quest for autonomy, reflecting the complex interplay between national unity and regional desires for self-determination.
