The National Publicity Secretary of the New Era faction of the Odua People’s Congress, Akinpelu Adesina, decried the attempt by the joint team of security operatives to arrest Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, saying the attack was wrong and unwarranted.
Igboho said this during an interview with our correspondent on Friday, while reacting to the face-off between him and security agents around the Guru Maharaji bus stop along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Yoruba rights activist, who has been in the news for serving a quit notice on Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the South-West, said he was never invited before they attempted to arrest him.
The OPC chieftain, who spoke with one of our correspondents, said he and other members of Yoruba local security and pressure groups were with the Yoruba activist on his way to see Adebanjo in Lagos when they were accosted by a security team comprising men of the Nigerian Army, police, and DSS.
Adesina said, “Although we were caught unawares, we were not unprepared for any eventuality. Sunday Igboho was to meet our father, Ayo Adebanjo, in Lagos, so we got prepared and set out. I can’t really tell the exact time.
“Our journey was smooth until we were stopped and the security men began to harass the entourage asking, ‘Where is the criminal?’ We were in disbelief. When we realised that it was Igboho Osha that they were on the lookout for, there was an exchange of words and the place turned rowdy.
“We called to question their ground for wanting to arrest him. For us, the law enforcement agents were wrong to have put on a show. On what ground would the arrest of Sunday Igboho be, while the killer herders who are wielding dangerous weapons, kidnapping, killing, maiming and extorting our fathers, mothers and sisters still walk free?
“We are happy that although there was tension at the scene, we were allowed to go without any problem. No gunshot was fired, nobody got hurt and we later proceeded on our journey.”
(Punch)
I personally am saddened by the brazen injustice going on in this country. I only hope that those in power who continue to oppress the powerless will not push matters to the breaking point. They should note that the powerful may one day become powerless.