Oyo Police Confirm Arrest Of 20 In Connection With Secretariat Invasion, Recover Guns, Vehicles, Charms, Others
Oyo state Police Command has disclosed that it has apprehended no fewer than 20 persons suspected to be agitators of Yoruba Nation in connection with the invasion of the Agodi Government Secretariat.
The State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso made this known on behalf of the State Command in a statement forwarded to westernmirror.com.ng on Saturday afternoon.
Osifeso 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.
MotorcyclesOther 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.
