Some operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday attempted to arrest Sunday Adeyemo, a Yoruba activist, who recently asked killer herdsmen to vacate the South West region of the country.
Adeyemo, who is popularly known as Sunday Igboho, was said to heading for the home of 93-year-old Afenifere Chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo, when the joint team of police and DSS operatives reportedly laid ambush on him.
The incident, it was gathered, occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Friday causing pandemonium as well as traffic gridlock to motorists.
A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, confirmed attempt to arrest the activist in a statement.
Fani-Kayode disclosed that Igboho was on his way to meet with 93-year-old Afenifere Chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo, when the incident took place.
The former minister described the incident as “reckless and dangerous” while condemning the action of the operatives.
“I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho. He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers, DSS operatives and policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos.
“I condemn this attempt to ambush and abduct him. It is not only reckless but also very dangerous. If the security agencies want to see him all they need to do is to invite him to their office. I am not aware of any crime that he has committed and I urge restraint on all sides.
“Let me also send a warning to the Federal Government that Sunday Igboho is a hero to millions of Yoruba and either killing him or detaining him unlawfully would be the biggest mistake they could make. Building bridges, dialogue and the pursuit of peace is better than intimidation, threats, violence and war. A word is enough for the wise”.
Meanwhile, the Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday refuted reports that they had attempted to arrest Sunday Igboho in Oyo State.
Public Relations Officer, National Headquarters, Abuja, Dr Peter Afunanya, in a statement described it as fake news.
A tersely worded statement by Afunanya reads: “The Department of State Services wishes to refute the news that it attempted to arrest one Sunday Igboho, today, at Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The said news is misinforming and should be taken as fake and therefore be disregarded”.
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