Police arrest suspected Yoruba Nation advocates in Osun, recover exhibits

The Osun State Police Command has apprehended suspected members of the proscribed Yoruba Nation group.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Giwa-Alade Emmanuel, announced this during a parade of the suspects at the Command headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The suspects, identified as 61-year-old Fagbayi Oluwafemi, 63-year-old Joy Faseyeku, and 64-year-old Alabede Janet, were arrested for alleged conspiracy, unlawful assembly, secession, and treasonable felony. They were apprehended at Obada Market, Ikire, while addressing traders and encouraging them to support the Yoruba Nation movement.

Emmanuel stated that the suspects urged market traders to renounce their allegiance to Nigeria, claiming that the country ceased to exist after the 1914 amalgamation period ended in 2014. Oluwafemi reportedly displayed the Yoruba Nation flag during the address.

Following the arrest of Oluwafemi, further investigations led to the capture of Faseyiku and Alabede in Osogbo and Ikire.

Recovered items included a Yoruba Nation flag, a tripod stand, a megaphone, two mobile phones, handbills, and a baseball cap with the Oodua Nation emblem.

The suspects have been charged to the Federal High Court after a thorough investigation concluded.