VAm News Update
Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has regained freedom from the Beninese authorities.
The agitator said on Sunday that he was legally free to return to Nigeria and travel to any country from Cotonou, the capital of the Benin Republic.
He was released after a two-year trial by the Beninese government.
According to the leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO), Banji Akintoye, Igboho left Benin for Germany to reunite with his family Sunday evening.
The Background
Adeyemo ran into trouble in March 2021 when he declared the Yoruba nation’s sovereignty.
His declaration sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians.
He alleged that much of Nigeria’s wealth was in the hands of Northerners, stressing that Yorubas were being killed and their land taken over by herders.
He also launched a campaign to drive killer herders and kidnappers out of the South-West states.
“We want all Fulani on Yoruba land to leave. I will monitor compliance with the eviction notice.
“I don’t issue an order without ensuring compliance. As from Monday, we don’t want to hear of any kidnapping in Yorubaland again. I will show them the stuff Yoruba people are made of,” he said in an interview anchored by his spokesperson, Oluyomi Koiki.
SSS raided Igboho’s house
However, he left Nigeria in July 2021 after operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) broke into his home in Ibadan at night.
At least one person died from the attack, and some of his possessions were damaged.
However, Akintoye disclosed in a statement sent to reporters by his Communications Manager, Maxwell Adeleye, that several people were killed in the incident.
Akintoye blamed the incident on former President Muhammadu Buhari.
During the raid, the SSS said it found seven AK-47 rifles, pump-action guns, 5,000 rounds of ammunition, charms and other weapons in Igboho’s home.
Briefing journalists, the spokesman of SSS Peter Afunanya disclosed that the raid was based on intelligence gathering.
He added that Igboho was stockpiling arms to cause chaos within the South-West region.
The arrest of Sunday Igboho in the Benin Republic
The self-acclaimed agitator later attempted to flee Nigeria to Germany but was stopped at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic.
The International Criminal Police Organisation detained him on Monday, July 19, 2021.