The Oyo State Police Command, in collaboration with sister security agencies on Saturday foiled an attempted takeover of the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi-Ibadan, by hoodlums suspected to be members of the ‘Yoruba Nation Agitation Group’.
According to a statement by the police spokesperson, Adewale Osifeso said twenty individuals were apprehended, and a significant cache of weapons and paraphernalia were confiscated, including three pump-action guns, two hundred and ninety-one cartridges, sixty-seven cutlasses, bulletproof vests, and camouflage uniforms, among others.
Osifeso said the suspects, dressed in military camouflage, arrived at the secretariat heavily armed in an unregistered Silver Coloured Nissan Urban Caravan Bus.
The statement added that the suspects were found in possession of cutlasses, pump-action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms, and an O’dua Nation Agitation Flag.
The statement reads in part, “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.”
