Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has reportedly gone underground following a manhunt for him by the Department of State Services for allegedly stockpiling arms to destabilise Nigeria.
It was gathered that the whereabouts of Igboho, a lead figure in the separatist agitation for the Yoruba Nation, is also unknown to his associates.
Some of his associates, who spoke with PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said they had not been able to reach him since the DSS launched a manhunt for him on Thursday night.
According to PUNCH, repeated efforts to reach Igboho on his known phone numbers proved abortive as his lines were perpetually switched off, a measure some of his associates said was necessary to avoid him being tracked by security agents who were on his trail.
WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that the DSS had declared Igboho wanted for for allegedly stockpiling arms in his Soka residence in Ibadan, Oyo state.
Spokesman of the DSS, Peter Afunaya, said the security team engaged in a gun duel by men suspected to be Igboho’s guards when they raided his residence in the early hours of Thursday.
Afunaya stated, “A team of joint security operatives raided the residence of Sunday Adeyemo at Soka in Ibadan. This was based on intelligence that he had stockpiled arms in the place.
“On approach to his residence, the team came under heavy gun attack by nine men suspected to be Igboho’s guards. Six were armed with AK-47 guns and three others with pump-action rifles.
“In the course of the exchange, two of the armed men were gunned down, while the rest were subdued and arrested. Only one operative, who was shot by the assailants, sustained an injury in his right hand. He has, however, received medical attention and is very stable.
“The gun duel which lasted for an hour offered Igboho the chance to escape. Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, is now on the run. Igboho may run as far as he can. He may hide as long as he wants. He might have attacked security operatives as his strength carried him. But this will be the end of his shenanigans. Soon, he will not have a hiding place. His strength will sure fail him. And the law will catch up with him. The law may be slow. But it will be steady.”