BY AKINWALE ABOLUWADE, IBADAN
Yoruba kings, under the aegis of Forum of Yoruba Obas, have decried the Thursday, July 1 invasion of the Soka, Ibadan residence of a Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a Sunday Igboho.
Describing the attack, led by the personnel of the Department of State Security and the gruesome murder of two loyalists of Sunday Igboho as unfortunate, the obas stated that they could not bury their heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich on the issue.
They warned that the security situation in the land, if not well managed, could further polarise the country.
The kings spoke in a statement that was jointly signed by the Molokun of Atijere, Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Samuel Adeoye, and the Olukotun of Ikotun Ile, Kwara State, Oba Abdulrasaq Abioye, president and general secretary respectively.
The statement described the attack and the killing, on July 1, as an unjustifiable violent breach of fundamental rights of the victims of the raid.
While calling for the adequate compensation of families of the deceased, it urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order a discrete investigation into the raid.
The statement read, “The Forum of the Yoruba Obas woke up in the morning of Thursday, 1st of July, 2021 to read from the news that the house of Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) was under siege by some security operatives who were armed to teeth and that two people were killed and several others (were) arrested.
“Few hours later, DSS came out and claimed responsibility for the invasion, arrest and death of the people killed during the incidence.
“As traditional rulers, we cannot bury our heads in the sand like the ostrich on a very sensitive issue like this which, if not well managed, could further polarise the oneness and unity of Nigeria considering recent calls in and outside the shores of Nigeria for the disintegration of Nigeria.
“We strongly condemn in its entirety the invasion and the gruesome murder of the people at Sunday Igboho’s house on the 1st July, 2021. We believe that the killing by the officers of the DSS is unwarranted and unjustifiable (and) a violent breach of the fundamental rights of those who were killed by the overzealous officers at Sunday Adeyemo’s residence.
“We, hereby, call for the immediate release of those arrested at his residence. We demand that there must be adequate compensation for the family of those people who were murdered during the operation. We equally call on President Muhammadu Buhari to cause a discrete and holistic investigation on this volatile issue.
“While we will not shield or encourage anyone to break the law of the land, we make bold to state that the Constitution is very clear and unambiguous that the governor of the state is the chief security officer of the state. Governor Seyi Makinde ought to be apprised of any move to cause the arrest of anyone in Oyo State which is likely to cause serious security breach before such a person or group of persons can be arrested.
“Insecurity in Nigeria today has reached an alarming crescendo that triggers a great concern in our minds and other Nigerians. Every state in Nigeria pays its toll when it comes to insecurity. It appears peace is gradually eluding the Nigerian state. There is no iota of doubt to postulate that Nigeria is currently battling its worst level of insecurity. Nigeria has never had it this bad since the civil war which ended in 1970.
“We cannot but commend the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari towards curbing this menace. However, we believe that a lot must be done to put an end to the issue of insecurity that is currently shaking the foundation and corporate existence of Nigeria.”
