Yoruba Nation: Lecturer defends participation as police parade 21

On April 16, 2024, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Hazmat Adebola, held a press conference to parade 21 suspected Yoruba Nation agitators who had recently invaded the state Governor’s Office and the House of Assembly. Adebola described their actions as criminal, unpatriotic, and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism, for which they would face appropriate sanctions.

Among the paraded suspects was a 55-year-old lecturer at the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, named Alabi Ogundeji. Ogundeji, one of the arrested agitators, boldly declared that he had no regrets about participating in the invasion. Another suspect, a 29-year-old phone repairer named Ademola Adeniyi, also expressed no regrets about joining the struggle.

The Yoruba Nation agitators had stormed the Oyo State Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan, on Saturday. Masked men dressed in army camouflage, armed with rifles and charms, were stationed at different locations in the area, causing panic among residents and road users. Security operatives initially struggled to disperse the agitators until the arrival of police from the state command, along with members of the Nigerian Army, 2 Division, who successfully demobilized them.

The suspects paraded by the police included Alabi Ogundeji (55), Adeyemo Oluwaseun (29), Adeyemo Peter (75), Amos Ogundeji (45), Ayanwale Rofiayat (25), Olaleye Mathew (54), Fatoki Anthony (34), Muritala Abere (40), Adepoju Ismaila (45), Fatunmbi Wasiu (30), Isaac Friday (27), Ayanwale Saburi (28), Elegbede Adebola (27), Adedamola Deniyi (29), Ojo Olufemi (52), Ajani Ezekiel (42), Adejumo Lateef (60), Ayoola David (40), Adesokan Hammed (38), Salawudeen Wahab (56), and Ademola Adeniyi (29).

The police also recovered several exhibits, including firearms, ammunition, security jackets, torch lights, African horse tails, bells, walkie talkies, generators, megaphones, gas cylinders, executive chairs, a vehicle, and various personal items belonging to the suspects.

In separate interviews with journalists after their parade, both Alabi Ogundeji and Ademola Adeniyi insisted that their actions were lawful under Nigerian and international laws. Ogundeji emphasized that the Yoruba people were a distinct indigenous nation and that their agitation for the Yoruba Nation was based on the steps and actions taken by the leaders of the Oodua Nation. Adeniyi echoed similar sentiments, stating that Nigeria was facing numerous challenges, and they believed their leader had the knowledge to address them.

Commissioner Adebola reiterated that the invasion and actions of the Yoruba Nation agitators were criminal, unpatriotic, and constituted treasonable felony and terrorism. He called on parents, guardians, and leaders in various spheres to discourage their children and followers from being used to promote anarchy and unrest.

The Oyo State Government also condemned the invasion of the state secretariat, describing it as treasonable. The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, stated that there were better ways to express grievances without resorting to violence.