Yoruba Nation: Police launch manhunt for suspected sponsor, Dupe Onitiri-Abiola

The police have launched a manhunt for Mrs. Dupe Onitiri-Abiola, suspected of sponsoring the invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat by Yoruba Nation agitators.

Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola, the widow of the late Chief Moshood Abiola, claimed responsibility for the violence in a viral video.

The agitators, wielding guns and wearing military camouflage, on Saturday, attempted to breach security at the state House of Assembly and the governor’s office.

Police Commissioner Adebola Hamzat described the invasion as a treasonable felony and terrorism, pledging sanctions.

Though not explicitly named by the police, the state’s Special Adviser on Security, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, hinted at Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola’s involvement.

Thereafter, a viral video by Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola claiming leadership of the group surfaced on social media.

Professor Banji Akintoye also indirectly implicated her Yoruba group in the incident. Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola’s video confession further implicated her.

The police responded to the invasion, recovering weapons and arresting 21 suspects. Hamzat emphasized Nigeria’s unity and warned against promoting anarchy.

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Explaining how it happened on Saturday, the police chief said: “At about 8:55 a.m., information was received that some men, dressed in military-like camouflage and armed with pump action semi-automatic rifles, were sighted on motorcycles around Olomi and moving into Ibadan.

“At about 9:15 a.m., the hoodlums, later known as Yoruba Nation Agitation Group, were trailed to the State Secretariat and the premises of the Governor’s Office.

“They hoisted their flag at the House of Assembly, proclaiming the creation of a ‘Democratic Republic of the Yoruba’.

“With police reinforcement, the miscreants were warned to disperse. The agitators turned violent and opened fire on the police and a detachment of Amotekun Corps present.”

The commissioner said the police responded and were joined by operatives of other security agencies who suppressed the treason.

However, the Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Security, Fatai Owoseni, said Onitiri-Abiola is the leader of another separatist group.

Owoseni, who spoke on national television, said the woman has been there for more than three decades.

On the statement credited to Prof. Banji Akintoye alleging that Onitiri-Abiola was behind the Saturday incident, Owoseni said: “The woman has been there. She was there even during the time of the late Bashorun Kashimawo Abiola.

“She has spoken out at one time or another. This confirms the proliferation of separatist groups I talked about.

“Some of these people read the United Nations Conventions Charter wrongly and everyone wants to take advantage of such an act.”

Owoseni, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, said the Federal Government was already concerned about the security situation in the country and working to address the concerns.

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