Condemnations have trailed Thursday’s invasion of the the Ibadan home of Yoruba activist,Sunday Igboho by the officials of Directorate of State Service.
Aareonakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams has condemned in strong terms the attack on Chief Sunday Adeyemo, Igboho’s ,saying the attack was a ploy to silent him from expressing his views on the state of the nation.
He said the attack has really exposed the Federal Government,especially, on the spate of insecurity in Nigeria, insisting that the incident was a predetermined ploy to silent Igboho from the struggle for the Yoruba nation, which, according to him, is what many Yorubas both home and abroad want at the moment.
“The attack on Sunday Igboho’s house is most unfortunate. It is a reflection of the fact that our lives as Nigerians are of no value to the government.And the truth is that nobody is safe in this country.The recent attack was the second in six months.The first was in January when his Soka resident was razed by unknown arsonists. And up till date,nobody had been apprehended in respect of the ugly incident,
“Those agitating for Yoruba nation have been the targets of this administration and the two attempts at Igboho’s houses within six months cannot be said to be ordinary.They were ploys to cow him and frustrate him.We cannot continue to live in fear and trepidations.We cannot continue to live in perpetual crisis where our lives and properties are not secured.
“Igboho is being hunted because of his beliefs in the struggle for the liberation of Yoruba race and those behind these two attacks should be warned that any attack on Igboho is an attack on all of us that are in the struggle for the liberation of Yoruba race. It is sad that this government is intolerant of other people’s views.Let me say this for emphasis that it is in the interest of the Federal Government to learn how to manage those agitating.Yoruba are seeking self-determination or devolution of power. These are the two key things we are asking from the Federal Government. So, of the two requests, the FG should be ready to negotiate for one, rather than using force to subdue agitators,
The Yoruba Nation Global Directorate (YNGD),described the attack on Igboho’s house as callous and a ploy to silence the Yorubas in actualisation of Yoruba Nation autonomy.
The group stressed that the attack was a crime against humanity, suppression of free speech and gross breach of United Nations treaties, noting that the Directorate was assessing the unfolding situation and would soon respond with a course of action.
“For avoidance of doubt, the Directorate is determined to use all means to defend our Yoruba compatriots and our territory against this murderous and repressive Fulani regime, one of the worst in recent human history.t is our humble opinion that Yoruba citizens home and in Diaspora should not let this silent their agitation for freedom but revamp efforts to save the Yoruba race from impending genocide and takeover of our ancestral homeland by the Fulani led government,” it said in a statement.
The apex body of Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere has condemned the midnight attack on the residence of Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
In a statement by the Acting Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and made available to journalists by the National
Publicity Secretary of the body, Comrade Jare Ajayi stated that, “The news of fatal attack on the residence of Mr. Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho in the early hours of Thursday, July 1, 2021 is a sad indicator that we are fast returning to the era of late Sani Abacha when anyone who expressed opinions contrary to government’s position would be fatally attacked.
“Nigerians woke up this morning to the unsavoury news of an attack on the residence of the Yoruba activist, Igboho, in Soka area of Ibadan by armed men reportedly in army and DSS uniforms.
“DSS is the Directorate of State Security Services, one of the federal government’s security agencies. reports have it that the invaders came in 15 vehicles with army identity while some of the men wore DSS uniforms.
“It was also reported that at least seven people were killed while yet unidentified number, including the wife of Sunday Igboho, were abducted and taken away by the invaders. They also properties running into several millions.
“The attack came less than 72 hours to the plan by Igboho and others to hold a rally in Lagos to further canvass for a Yoruba nation this week Saturday.
“The manner of attack indicated culpability on the part of those in authority.
“We are forced into this deduction for a number of reasons. Firstly, eye witness accounts indicated that vehicles and uniforms of the attackers were that of the security agencies. Secondly, the failure of security agencies to confront the attackers further implicated the government.
“It was reported that the attack lasted for more than three hours. Igboho’s residence is in a highly populated area within minutes’ reach to surrounding police stations. That no rescue team came from any of the police units including the DSS office in Ibadan for the several hours that the attack lasted makes it difficult not to believe that the government is complicit in the attack.
“Afenifere regretted that the incident was a sad reminder of what Nigerians went through under the inglorious regime of late General Sani Abacha.
“We recall with sadness how voices that were opposed to the dictatorial tendencies of Abacha regime were under serious attacks. We recalled how patriots like General Alani Akinrinade, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Pa Alfred Rewane etc were attacked resulting in the untimely and gruesome murder of Pa Rewane.”
Besides,the Yoruba Global Council, (YGC),described the attack as provocative, barbaric and deliberate act to suppress the growing agitation for a Yoruba nation.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Prof Lere Amusan on Friday, the group said with the DSS revealing it organised the attack under the guise of seeking out stockpiled arms, it may not be out of order to conclude that, considering the desperation with which the attack was staged, Sunday Igboho could as well been killed if found during the operation.
Registering that the reason given for the attack by the DSS was not convincing enough, YGC said ”it is baffling that herders who are known to be custodians of illegal arms even with Miyettiallah its leadership known to government, are not accused of stockpiling arms, ”rather it is the peaceful Igboho government consider too dangerous and deserve such unwarranted ,violent sting operation where lives were lost”
Declaring that it is obvious, by the Thursday morning attack that the primary mission of government, in tandem with the greedy politicians in the Southwest is to suppress the growing agitation for the sovereignty of the Yoruba states from the existing country Nigeria, YGC expressed its concerns over shrinking civic space, lingering social injustice and the dwindling democratic values in Nigeria.
