…Protesters demand N500m, release of aides
Akinlabi Afolabi, Ibadan
Supporters of the wanted Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho took to the streets of Ibadan, the Palace of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and office of the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde to protest over raid Igboho’s house by the DSS operatives.
The protesters also called for the release of arrested agitators thereby demanding for N500 million compensation for damages.
The protesters gathered in front of Igboho’s house in the Sooka area of Ibadan from where they took to the streets around 12 noon on Wednesday before moving to the palace and state Governor office as they chanted.
“No retreat, no surrender!”, “Oodua Nation!”, “Sunday Igboho is not a criminal!” amongst other phrases. They also carried placards displaying similar phrases.
Addressing the gathering before they took off. A man who pleaded to leave his name unknown said they would match to the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; and from there proceed to the Government House, amongst other places.
“It is a peaceful demonstration; we are matching there to demand the release of the detained persons. We are not afraid of teargas, we are matching to demand the rights of our people.
“We want them to bring the killers of Adogan and Alfa to book.
“The government must pay the N500 million damages as requested by Igboho’s lawyer for the destruction of his house and property during the invasion.
“We want the Obas to make this happen within seven days,” he said.
The DSS invaded the residence of Igboho in a Gestapo style around 1am on Thursday. Though Igboho had escaped the raid, his house and cars were riddled with bullets while bloodstains splattered over the floors of the house.
Otunba Olusola Ojo from Ekiti said all they want is Yoruba Nation and nothing else.
“we want the Federal Government to release our people arrested during the DSS raid at Igboho’s house,and we want the government to remove the name of our leader Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho from wanted list, because he is not a criminal, he is demanding for his legitimate right and it is acceptable under Nigeria constitution, Sunday Igboho is not a bandit.”
He added that the Federal Government should go after the bandits and Shiek Gumi, Boko Haram as they are main threat.
“These are the people that are terrorizing the country and not our leader Igboho who is agitating for his legitimate right. Attacking Sunday Igboho shows that there is sentiment to the matter on ground, this cheating is too much this time around, so we want those arrested like Lady K and the rest to be free from the custody of the DSS.”
He concluded that all they want is Yoruba Nation and also freedom of the people that were arrested.
The personal assistant on media to Olubadan , Adeola Oloko, said “I want to seize this opportunity to inform the public that Olubadan did not collect a dime from anybody.
Sunday Igboho is a Yoruba man, he lives in Ibadan. He is a son of Kabiesi Olubadan, and we are duty bound to protect him. if he is operating within the limit of the law, we are supposed to protect him.
“Kabiyesi has become fulfilled in life. The story is not true. I’m also using this medium to warn those on the social media to be very mindful of what they disseminate, because those stories have great effect on innocent people.”
He added that Kabiyesi has promised to present their requests to appropriate quarters as he will summon a stakeholders meeting.