Yoruba Nation: Osun governor Adeleke orders tight security at government house and secretariat
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has ordered tight security around government establishment in the state following the invasion of the State Government Secretariat in Oyo State by suspected Yoruba nation agitators.
The move, according to the governor was to curb similar occurrence by suspected agitators in the state.
A statement made available to newsmen by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Sunday, added Governor Adeleke has instructed his aide on Security to proceed with instruction effective immediately.
Part of the establishment were Governor Adeleke instructed that joint security should be deployed to include, the State Government Secretariat, the Government House, and other strategic government buildings including the headquarters of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC).
According to the Governor, there is a need for rededication to the ideals of a united Nigeria with ongoing constitutional amendments to ensure a truly federal system in Nigeria.
“These agitators should join the crusade for the reform of the federal system to ensure adjustments that give the states more autonomy and responsibilities.
“Nigeria’s problems can only be resolved by dialogue within the constitutional framework, citing ongoing constitutional amendments that are restoring more powers to the states”, the governor was quoted to have said.
He cited the movement of railways and electricity from exclusive to concurrent legislative list, noting that even the United States of America is still reforming her federal system.
While showing solidarity with his Oyo State counterpart, Governo Seyi Makinde, he urged the agitators to sheath their swords, saying everyone must continue to try to realize the Nigeria of their dreams.
Meanwhile, no fewer than 20 men, who claimed to be Yoruba nation agitators, were arrested on Saturday when they attempted to seize the Oyo House of Assembly complex.
The masked men were dressed in Army camouflage and armed with rifles. They took strategic positions at the Secretariat.
While some of them manned the entrance of the governor’s office, the rest were seen at the entrance to the State House of Assembly gate and the main entrance, among others.
The situation sent shocks across the entire area. Also, the security operatives on duty at the secretariat had fired tear gas canisters to disperse them.
Officers of the state Police Command and other anti-crime agencies stormed the entrance to the Secretariat in numerous patrol vans.
Speaking on the arrest, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, said the suspects who dressed in military camouflage on 13/04/2024 at about 09:15hrs stormed the state government Secretariat to forcefully take over.
He disclosed that items recovered from the suspects include an unregistered Silver-coloured Nissan Urban Caravan Bus containing cutlasses, pump action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms and an O’dua Nation agitation flag.
Motorcycles and other items were recovered, including three Pump Action Guns, 291 life Cartridges, two expended cartridges, 67 cutlasses, five bulletproof vests, six pairs of boots, 10 megaphones, three Oodua style beret caps, seven belts, 11 Oodua Nation Army Camouflage Uniforms, one unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan Bus and three TVS motorcycles.
“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 takeover 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 by Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the situation.
