Police in Oyo State have apprehended 20 individuals suspected of being Yoruba nation agitators following an alleged invasion of the state’s House of Assembly complex in Ibadan over the weekend.

According to Oyo State Police spokesperson, SP Adewale Osifeso, the suspects were found in possession of a cache of weapons including three pump action guns, 29 live cartridges, two expended cartridges, 67 cutlasses, five bulletproof vests, and six pairs of boots. Additionally, they were carrying 10 Public Address Systems, three berets with Oodua insignia, seven belts, 11 Oodua Nation camouflage uniforms, an unregistered bus, and three motorcycles.

The police, in collaboration with other security agencies, successfully thwarted the agitators’ attempt to forcefully take over the secretariat. The suspects, dressed in military camouflage, arrived in an unregistered bus armed with weapons, charms, and an Oodua Nation agitation flag.

Osifeso condemned the suspects’ actions as criminal, unpatriotic, and tantamount to treasonable felony and terrorism. He assured that those found guilty would face appropriate punishment, emphasizing the police’s commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens.

Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr. Adebola Hamzat, has ordered a thorough investigation and an expansion of efforts to apprehend others involved in the incident.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding the Yoruba nation movement in Nigeria, highlighting the challenges faced by authorities in maintaining law and order amidst calls for secession.