Yoruba Nation Agitator, Sunday Adeyemo otherwise known as Igboho, has been reportedly arrested in Cotonou-Benin Republic, Nigeria’s Western neighbours, just three days after the Nigerian government raised high alert over plans by Igboho to flee Nigeria.
A report by The Punch said he was arrested at the Cotonou airport late Monday by Beninoise security forces.
Cotonou, a commercial city popular for the cross-border transit of goods is just about 108km to Lagos — West Africa’s economic hub.
Also, a source was quoted to have said Igboho will be repatriated to Nigeria from Benin Republic today (Tuesday).
“He was arrested in Cotonou while he tried to travel out on Monday night. His destination was Germany. The security forces in Benin Republic should repatriate him to Nigeria on Tuesday,” Punch quoted the source to have said.
His reported arrest comes in about three weeks after the Department of State Services (DSS) declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms, following the July 1, 2021 raid of his residence located in Soka-Ibadan by the men of the Nigerian secret police. About 12 of Igboho’s aides were arrested and two killed as operatives exchange fire with his men.
The spokesperson of Igboho, Olayomi Koiki has debunked the claim by DSS that the Yoruba Nation Agitator was stockpiling arms, describing it as a ‘conspiracy’ to nail his principal.
The New Diplomat recently reported that federal government had alerted the nation’s security forces over plan by the Yoruba Nation activist to flee the country to an unknown destination. The government also stated that he has been trying to acquire a new passport, adding to him a ‘stop-list.’
This was contained in a letter by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and addressed to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS); Inspector-General of Police (IGP); and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Igboho’s arrest comes few weeks after the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and repatriated to Nigeria from a yet-to-be disclosed location by the Nigerian government.
However, the Nigerian authorities were yet to react to Igboho’s reported arrest in Benin. Efforts by The New Diplomat to get DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya react to the development have so far proved abortive.
