- Security personnel within the state secretariat were said to have swiftly called for backup in order to checkmate the rampaging agitators.
Suspected Yoruba Nation secessionists invaded the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan on Saturday, causing chaos and apprehension in the city.
The armed agitators occupied the government house and attempted to take over it before security agencies stepped in.
According to reports, the separatists, who donned military camouflage and armed with weapons, removed the Nigerian flag and hoisted their own flag within the Assembly premises.
Security personnel within the state secretariat were said to have swiftly called for backup in order to checkmate the rampaging agitators.
Security operatives, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, the Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), engaged the agitators in a gun battle.
Eyewitnesses reported that the agitators had arrived in an ash-colored Hiace bus and two motorcycles, which were seized and taken to the State Police Headquarters.
The gunmen reportedly headed straight to the State House of Assembly premises, removing the Nigerian national flag and replacing it with their own O’odua Nation flag before security forces intervened.
The agitators were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security forces and about sixteen of them had been arrested.
Many others escaped into adjoining bushes and forest with gunshots wounds while they were given hot chase by the security operatives.
Mr. Fatai Owoseni, the Special Adviser to Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Security, confirmed that the situation has been brought under control, with the combined team of security personnel successfully subduing the agitators. He described the gunmen as “miscreants” and urged the public not to panic.
“We were able to arrest some of them while others fled,” said Owoseni. “There is no need to panic. Everything is under control.”
Security personnel have been stationed at the secretariat gate to ensure the safety of the area.
Adewale Osifeso, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, confirmed the incident but noted that he was still gathering details about the situation.
The situation has since been resolved, and investigations are ongoing