The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni (retired) 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 saying “We were able to arrest some of them while others fled. 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.” He said.
However, more suspects have been arrested by security operatives in their bid to restore normalcy to the Oyo State Government Secretariat Axis.
It was gathered that before the arrest was made, the agitators have successfully hoisted the Yoruba Nation flag on the pole of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
In a video seen by Naijanewshub reporter on Saturday, while three of the men were seated at the backseat of a Police Patrol van, two others who have sustained injuries were seen at the back of the van lying down with blood stain.
It could not be confirmed if the blood stain was due to gun shot injuries.
Additionally, two others agitators, including a woman were seen stationed by the side of the police van been searched by the security operatives.
During the search, it was observed that almost all the arrested uniformed agitators had different charms, amulets on and around their bodies.
As at the time of this report, the Oyo State Police Command in a press statement made available to Journalists stated that 20 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Recall that two people were earlier arrested, an old man and a middle aged man, bearing the Yoruba Nation flag.
It was gathered that the agitators occupied and attempted to overwhelm security operatives at the State Assembly complex and entire secretariat.
It was also gathered that the agitators had arrived the state Secretariat at early hours of Saturday in an ash-colored Hiace bus and two motorcycles, which had been 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 Yoruba Nation flag before security forces intervened.
A copy of the statement signed by theState Police Public Relation Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso stressed that no fewer than 20 Suspects have been arrested so far.
SP Osifeso who reacted on behalf of the State Command in a copy of statement forwarded to Daily INDEPENDENT on Saturday afternoon stated that the suspects dressed in military camouflage on 13/04/2024 at about 0915hrs stormed the state government Secretariat with the aim of forcefully taking over the facility.
While commending the gallantry of the officers of the Oyo state command in collaboration with other sister security agencies for thwarting what was described as an attempt driven by a separatist agenda to forcefully take over State Government Secretariat,Ibadan, Osifeso said that suspects were fully overpowered by operatives.
The Police Spokesman disclosed that items recovered from the suspects include an unregistered Silver Coloured Nissan Urban Caravan Bus containing Cutlasses, Pump Action Rifles, Cartridges, assorted charms and an O’dua Nation Agitation Flag.
Other items recovered include three Pump Action Guns, (291)Two Hundred and Ninety-One life Cartridges, (2) Two Expended Cartridges, (67) Sixty-Seven Cutlasses, (5) Five Bullet Proof Vest, (6) Six Pair of Boots, (10) Ten Megaphone (Public Address System),(3) Three Oodua Styles Beret Caps, (7) Seven Belts, (11) Eleven Oodua Nation Army Camouflage Uniforms, (1) One Unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan Bus and (3) Three TVS Motor Motorcycles.
“Today Saturday 13/04/2024 at about 0915hrs the valiant and eagle eyed operatives of the Oyo State Police Command in concert with some members of its sister agencies, successfully thwarted an attempt by hoodlums suspected to be members of the ‘‘Yoruba Nation Agitation Group’’ driven by a separatist agenda, in an attempt to forcefully takeover the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi-Ibadan.”
“The Suspects, who were on Military Camouflages came heavily armed in an unregistered Silver Coloured Nissan Urban Caravan Bus containing Cutlasses, Pump Action Rifles, Cartridges, assorted charms and an O’dua Nation Agitation Flag.”
“Thankfully, they were overpowered and completely suppressed by Officers and Men of the Command on concert with sister security agencies who acted in swift response to intelligence gathered in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to the situation.”
“In all, (20) Twenty Suspects have been arrested in possession of; (3) Three Pump Action Guns, (291)Two Hundred and Ninety-One life Cartridges, (2) Two Expended Cartridges, (67) Sixty-Seven Cutlasses, (5) Five Bullet Proof Vest, (6) Six Pair of Boots, (10) Ten Megaphone (Public Address System),(3) Three Oodua Styles Beret Caps, (7) Seven Belts, (11) Eleven Oodua Nation Army Camouflage Uniforms, (1) One Unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan Bus and (3) Three TVS Motor Motorcycles.”
“While declaring this act as criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony & terrorism which would be melted with adequate sanctions under the laws of the land, the Command assures the good citizens of Oyo State that it remains unwavering to the protection of their lives and property.”
“Sequel to the above, the Commissioner of Police has detailed a highly powered investigation team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department to demystify circumstances surrounding the incident and as well expand the network of arrests through painstaking intelligence driven investigation.
“The Oyo State Police Command enjoins residents to be generous with information and cooperate with the Command in a bid to rid the State of Criminal elements whose intent is to propagate their separatist agenda.”
SP Osifeso however added that more updates would be provided accordingly in due time while urging the public to speak up promptly anything suspicious activities were detected around them in order to help the Police act swiftly and accordingly.
“In cases of emergencies, the Command can always be reached through these emergency control room numbers: 615 (Toll free) (Oyo State Security Response Center.),and Oyo State Police Command Emergency line 08081768614.” Osifeso added.