Police Hunt for Abiola’s Widow in Connection to Oyo State Secretariat Invasion

The police have initiated a manhunt for Mrs. Dupe Onitiri-Abiola, a suspected sponsor of the recent invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan by some Yoruba Nation agitators.

This move by the authorities was prompted by a viral video where Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola claimed responsibility for the violence that took place on Saturday, April 13, 2024.

The incident in question involved armed agitators, clad in military camouflage, who stormed the Oyo State House of Assembly complex located inside the secretariat.

They proceeded to hoist their flag and attempted to breach the security of the governor’s office before being repelled by security operatives.

A total of 21 individuals were apprehended in connection with the event, and they were subsequently paraded by the police alongside the arms, ammunition, and other items seized from them.

Oyo State Police Commissioner, Adebola Hamzat, condemned the invasion as a criminal, unpatriotic, and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism, which will be met with appropriate sanctions.

While the Commissioner refrained from directly naming Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Security Matters, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, confirmed that she is the leader of a group of Yoruba Nation agitators.

Owoseni acknowledged Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola’s longstanding involvement in separatist movements and highlighted the need for security reform and youth engagement to prevent similar incidents in the future.

In a separate development, another prominent Yoruba group led by Prof. Banji Akintoye and Sunday Igboho Adeyemo distanced themselves from the action, indicating that the group responsible is the one led by Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola.

This statement comes in the wake of a viral video that surfaced on social media, in which Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola claims leadership of the agitators.

The police have reportedly visited several locations in Oyo State, recovering incriminating items in the process.

They are also urging parents and community leaders to discourage their wards from engaging in activities that threaten public order, emphasizing the collective responsibility of safeguarding the state and nation.

This situation has raised concerns about the potential for political instability in the region, with authorities and citizens alike calling for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing unrest.

As the manhunt for Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola continues, the public remains anxious to see how this situation unfolds and whether it will lead to further escalation or a peaceful resolution.