Prof. Banji Akintoye, the founder and leader of the Yoruba group, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, has condemned the invasion of a radio station in Ibadan by Yoruba separatist group.
This is contained in a statement signed by Akintoye’s Assistant Director of Programmes, Olatunde Amusat, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the separatist group on Sunday, invaded the premises of Amuludun 99.1 FM in Moniya, a community radio of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), around 6.00 am.
Meanwhile, combined security operatives apprehended the suspected Yoruba nation agitators over the invasion of the Ibadan radio station, Amuludun FM.
The suspected Yoruba nation agitators, according to an eyewitness account, stormed premises of the radio station in the early hours of Sunday as they were reported to be armed with charms, while a live sponsored programme was ongoing.
The combined security operatives, which include the men of the Operation Burst, Directorate of State Security (DSS), Police and others, swung into action and made some arrests.
NAN reports that five of the agitators were arrested by security agents and paraded by the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday.
Vanguard reports that a member of staff of the station informed its correspondent that the suspects invaded the station with various forms of charms, saying: “That is what we witnessed this morning. They hijacked the station around 6 am. But they had been at the station before that time”
“They came with various forms of charms. They woke our staff, who were sleeping. Some of our staff have fled.”
“We are yet to see some of our staff. But the security (personnel) are on ground now.”
“Among their claims included “Oodua Nation has come to stay,” “Yoruba no more under Federal Republic of Nigeria” “United Nation will soon declare Oodua Nation.”
Vanguard learnt the alleged Yoruba nation agitators broadcast for about an hour before the arrival of combined teams of the police, operation burst and Nigerian Army.
Akintoye has however disowned the group, describing their action as lawless and profoundly criminal.
“Our attention has been drawn to the activities of a group led by a Woman, who claimed to be running a totally different agenda for Yoruba emancipation.
“The group has been engaging again and again in criminal activities. The group has been warned repeatedly, but has refused to change,” he said.
He said that the Yoruba group he is leading runs a struggle that is totally peaceful and law-abiding.
According to him, “we have written a 34-page manual to guide our followers and all Yoruba people about peaceful and law-abiding, self-determination struggle.
“We have written the outgoing President of Nigeria and UN Secretary-General about our legitimate demand for self-determination for our Yoruba nation.
“We have emphasised in every one of those letters that our struggle is peaceful and law-abiding.”
Akintoye said his group has no relationship whatsoever with the group that has repeatedly engaged in crime, adding “we have no hands in their criminal conduct.”
