It was reported that the masked men were dressed in Army camouflage and armed with rifles. They took strategic positions at the Secretariat, while some of them manned the entrance of the governor’s office, the rest were seen at the entrance to the State House of Assembly gate and the main entrance, among others.
The situation sent shocks across the entire area. Also, the security operatives on duty at the secretariat had fired tear gas canisters to disperse them.
Officers of the state Police Command and other anti-crime agencies stormed the entrance to the Secretariat in numerous patrol vans, shooting sporadically on the air sending panic among residents around the axis.
Motorists plying the route were said to have made a detour as many other road users scampered to safety. Road users en route to secretariat were diverted along Customs Junction as the Secretariat-Queen Elizabeth Road had been cut off traffic.
It was gathered that the efforts of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (retired) to calm the situation upon the sighting the masked men were futile. They insisted on hoisting their flag in the Secretariat.
However, the arrival of troops from the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army about an hour later was said to have changed the narrative. They stormed the area and some of the agitators at the entrance gate took to their heels.
The hostile and stern-looking officers swooped in and went after the masked agitators. The main entrance of the state Secretariat was shut.
Shop owners, businesses and residents around Bodija, Ikolaba, en route to Awolowo were said to have quickly locked up their shops and doors. Others that were about to open for the day business turned back.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adewale Osifeso, disclosed no fewer than 20 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident.
SP Osifeso however added that more updates would be provided accordingly in due time while urging the Oyo public to speak up promptly anything suspicious activities were detected around them to help the Police act swiftly and accordingly.
In his reaction, Sunday Igboho said he will never be involved in such madness.
He stressed that anytime he wants to engage in any struggle, he will always ensure that important stakeholders are carried along and also inform the public of the information of any of his engagements.
He said: “I know nothing about it. I am not even aware of those behind it. If I am going to do anything, either for early or any struggle for Yoruba Nation, you know we will inform people ahead.
“We will announce our plans and all our leaders and other stakeholders will also be involved and we will collaborate to do so.
“So, anything they now do on their own, either they attack the government or military barracks or Police station, I know nothing about it and I am not part of it.”
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