No regret invading Oyo govt house — Yoruba Nation agitators

Some of the suspected Yoruba Nation self-determination group arrested on Saturday, by the Oyo State police command over the invasion of the state secretariat and house of assembly complex, on Monday, have said they have no regret over their actions.

The state police commissioner, Mr Adebola Hamzat while parading the suspects described the act as criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism which would be tackled with adequate punishment.

But Mr Alabi Ogundeji, a lecturer at the Federal College of Education in Oyo State, who is among the agitators arrested by the police over the invasion, said he feels comfortable because he was on his right, adding that what he did was lawful under Nigerian and international laws.

He said, “I’m part of the agitators and I cannot deny it, Yoruba as an indigenous nation is a nation on its own, we have so many nations in Nigeria which Yoruba is one of them.

“O’odua Nation leaders have taken every steps and actions that need to be taken, we have embarked on referendum which was the 500 petition signed by all Yorubas and this served as referendum.

“Our leadership went to all Yoruba speaking states to serve officials letters written by our leaders and we were given our own copy, after that was proclamation, after that, declaration, occupation, and notification to the world that Yoruba is an indigenous nation.

“We were at the Secretariat to celebrate and rejoice because of the new Nation that was born, it is not a new thing that Yoruba is a nation and we want to stand on our own, we have been together with Nigeria for over 100 years.”

Also, a 29-year-old phone technician identified as Ademola Adeniyi, who was part of the failed coup, said he also did not regret his actions.

“We all know that nothing is working in Nigeria and things are hard for everyone except those in government. We were at the Secretariat waiting for our leaders to come and address us.

“We believe our leaders know much about the law, so we are not afraid to join when we were called upon. Our leaders told us that all challenges Yorubas are facing shall be addressed if we achieve our aim”, Ademola said.

However, speaking further, the state commissioner of police, Hamzat warned that the continued existence of Nigeria as a sovereign indivisible entity is a task that must be accomplished, stressing that “the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.”

“As a parent, I enjoin other parents, guardians and leaders in every sphere of political, religious and socio-economic influence to prevail on their children, ward, protégés and followers against being used by unpatriotic individuals to promote anarchy in the state and by extension the nation.

“I would like to use this medium to remind the criminally minded that Oyo State is home to many responsible, hospitable and extremely intelligent individuals who pride themselves with creativity, hard-work and resourcefulness.

“Under my watch, it would not be reduced to a playground for the criminally minded and obviously misguided individuals or group who intend making their livelihood from distorting the relative tranquility enjoyed by the good people of the state,” Hamzat said.

Recall that there was palpable tension in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State on Saturday, when masked men in military fatigue stormed the government facilities and positioned themselves at strategic locations, in an attempt to hoist their own flags.

The security operatives on duty at the secretariat were shocked as they were unable to disperse the agitators until the arrival of police operatives from the state command and other anti-crime agencies in collaboration with members of the Nigerian Army, 2 Division, who immediately demobilised the raging agitators.