July 04, (THEWILL) – The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday paraded suspects arrested during the ‘Yoruba Nation’, rally in Ojota.
The Yoruba Nation rally was held on Saturday in Lagos despite police warning against gatherings.
The protesters had convened for what they branded ‘Yoruba Nation’ rally, calling for the breakup of the country and an independent state for the Yorubas. The protesters also expressed displeasure at the raid on the home of its leader, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as ‘Sunday Igboho’.
THEWILL earlier reported that officers from the Lagos command fired teargas and water cannons to disperse the protesters.
Speaking at the command headquarters on Sunday during the parade of arrested protesters, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu said the suspects were arrested for violating the ban that no rally or gathering should hold in the state.
Odumosu said: “The press briefing is on what happened yesterday during the Oodua Republic Mega Rally. The Lagos State Government and the police command kicked against any rally of any kind in the state due to the unfavourable intelligence gathered about the rally.
“We advised the demonstrators to steer clear of Lagos State due to the fact that it could not afford another loss that was incurred during the #Endsars.
“Yesterday, some people came to foment trouble in the state during the rally and the command arrested 49 suspects during the rally. The suspects would be handed to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba, for discreet investigation and prosecution.”
Meanwhile, the umbrella body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, has said no fewer than 21 Yoruba Nation agitators were arrested during the protest held at Ojota.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the group, Maxwell Adeleye, said, “We are making moves to bail them. They are detained at Panti Police Station. We demand immediate release of everyone arrested at the Lagos rally.”
Those allegedly detained, according to the self-determination group, include: Abiodun Taiwo (female), Adagunodo Babatunde, Oluwafemi Adeleye, Oloye Taiwo, Saheed Kareem, Adebayo Waheed, Akinbode Sunday, Lawal Akeem, Samuel Ire, Ogundile Dare.
Others are: Tajudeen Bakare, Abiodun Adenuga, Azeez Adetayo, Rasheed Shittu, Quadri Ishola, Oluwasegun Arire, Kunle Aremo, Olamilekan Lolade, Tunde Lawal, Musbau Rasaq and Bamidele Akomolafe.
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