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Security Operatives, Agitators for Oduduwa Nation Clash in Abeokuta
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By Kayode Fasua
Agitators for Oduduwa Nation under the aegis of “Ìlàna Omo Oòdùà” yesterday clashed with security operatives in Abeokuta, Ogun State during the group’s awareness procession.
The agitators converged at Kuto Garage in Abeokuta where they marched to the palace of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, where they planned to address their supporters.
Before the peaceful march took off however, security operatives in the state positioned themselves on the streets of Abeokuta metropolis for the purpose of stopping the rally as early as 7:00 a.m.
But the agitators, who had gambolled through Sapon Square, also passed through the Ake palace street, notwithstanding the presence of the heavy security operatives and headed towards the Adatan area of the metropolis with solitary songs.
They chanted solidarity songs, blaring from the speakers attached to their moving vehicles.
The peaceful procession, however, resulted in violence at the Asero garage, along the Abeokuta – Ibadan road when news filtered to the organisers that security operatives had arrested 25 of their members while passing through the Ake Palace.
Thereafter, the agitators started destroying campaign billboards already mounted by politicians for the forthcoming local government elections in the state and other public properties suspected to belong to governments.
Palpable tension gripped the entire city when the procession eventually got to the headquarters of Ogun State Police Command, Eleweeran, where security operatives dispersed the agitators with teargas.
The situation forced shop owners in the entire Eleweeran community, particularly traders at the Hausa pepper, onion and yam market in the area to hurriedly close shops and scamper for safety, for fear of being caught up.
Consequently, the operatives arrested 11 members of the pro-Yoruba Nation agitators who staged a peaceful protest round major streets of Abeokuta.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident, saying 11 agitators earlier arrested were later released, “after they had been screened and profiled”.
Oyeyemi explained that the rationale for the arrest of 11 members of the agitators was prompted by an earlier rumour that they planned to attack the traditional ruler of the town, Oba Gbadebo, whenever their procession rally gets to Abeokuta.
“But despite the release of their colleagues, the agitators still threatened to attack the police headquarters in Eleweeran, Abeokuta. We had no option but to disperse them with minimum force and that was why they were tear-gassed”.
In a statement yesterday, the agitators’ Media and Communication Secretary, Maxwell Adeleye, expressed appreciation to the state’s Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogun, for the prompt release of their members.
“I can confirm that we have rescued all the arrested comrades. As the policemen saw the surging crowd of Yoruba men and women moving towards Eleweran Police Headquarters in droves, they quickly released our comrades protesting for Yoruba self-determination.
“It is very important to thank police officers who are Yoruba indigenes for refusing to let the Hausa-Fulani officers among them torture our patriots,” Adeleye said.