According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a day prior to the inauguration of Nigeria’s new president, Bola Tinubu, a group of separatists took control of a federal station in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The report states that the five separatists, who advocate for an independent Yoruba Nation, seized control of Amuludun FM station in the capital city of Oyo State. The police, as informed by NAN, apprehended the suspects and discovered charms in their possession. However, no harm was inflicted upon the radio station’s staff.
It is worth noting that the Yoruba Nation agitators are considered a minority in the southwestern region of Nigeria, where Mr. Tinubu hails from. The president-elect has no known affiliation with the group and has consistently expressed his commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria as a whole.
Please refer to the following NAN story for further details regarding the arrest of the agitators.
The Oyo State Police Command has apprehended five Yoruba Nation agitators who allegedly forcefully took control of the Amuludun FM radio station in Ibadan, aiming to declare independence from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the agitators stormed the federal radio station at approximately 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, confiscating the mobile phones of the employees. They proceeded to broadcast their proclamation of establishing a Yoruba Nation and seceding from Nigeria.
On Sunday, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Adebowale Williams, presented the suspects to the public during a parade held at the Command Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
According to Mr. Williams, the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, the command’s operatives received a distress call during intelligence-driven patrols. The call reported that a group, motivated by a separatist agenda, had forcefully taken control of Amuludun 99.1 FM radio station near Moniya, Ibadan, with the intention of proclaiming liberation from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In response, the police command promptly conducted a well-coordinated rescue operation, resulting in the swift arrest of the suspects involved in the incident.
Mr. Williams also confirmed that no personnel from the radio station or any other individuals were harmed during the incident.
Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police mentioned that he has constituted an investigation team, headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department. The team’s primary objective is to thoroughly investigate the incident and unravel the circumstances surrounding it.
“I assure good citizens of the state that the security architecture of the command, in concert with relevant sister agencies, has been strategically modified for optimum effectiveness for tomorrow’s epoch-making ceremony and beyond,” he said.
Mr. Williams stated that the security measures in the state have been strengthened to effectively address any developing or emerging security concerns that may jeopardize the stability of the nation.
He urged parents, guardians, and influential leaders to intervene and dissuade their children from participating in any activities aimed at disrupting the Monday inauguration. Mr. Williams emphasized that severe consequences would be imposed on those who defy this call and engage in unpatriotic actions with similar malicious intentions.
According to a report from NAN, the arrested suspects were found in possession of various charms and clothing bearing the inscription “Yoruba Nation Police, Yoruba Nation Army.” One of the suspects revealed that they were instructed by an individual known as Black Lion to take over the radio station and announce the establishment of the Yoruba Nation. They claimed that the police and Nigerian Army were powerless against their actions. The suspect mentioned that the person who gave them instructions resides outside Nigeria and they communicated with him via phone calls. The suspect also mentioned that they were not promised any financial reward for carrying out the incident and that he had traveled from Enugu State to Ibadan specifically for this purpose.