Police launch manhunt for Abiola’s widow for allegedly sponsoring invasion of Oyo State Government Secretariat by Yoruba Nation agitators

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

The manhunt for Mrs Onitiri-Abiola, a widow of the business mogul and prominent politician, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, began after the emergence of a viral video in which she claimed responsibility for the violence on Saturday, April 13.

The armed agitators, clad in military camouflage, invaded the Oyo State House of Assembly complex located inside the secretariat and hoisted their flag on Saturday morning. They also attempted to breach the security of the governor’s office, before they were repelled by security operatives.

No fewer than 21 of the agitators were rounded up. 

Those arrested were on Monday, April 15, paraded by the police with the arms, ammunition, camouflage and other items recovered from them.

Oyo State Police Commissioner, Adebola Hamzat, who paraded the 21 suspects, described the invasion as a criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism, which would be meted with adequate sanctions. 

Although he did not mention the name of Mrs Onitiri-Abiola, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Security Matters, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said he was aware that she is leading a group of Yoruba Nation agitators. Owoseni, in a televised statement, 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.

Prof. Banji Akintoye, who is the leader of another Yoruba group along with Sunday “Igboho” Adeyemo, in a statement on Saturday dissociated his group from the action. He alluded to the group as the one led by Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola. 

Subsequently, a viral video by Mrs Onitiri-Abiola claiming leadership of the group surfaced on social media. 

The Oyo State Police Commissioner said the arrested suspects have been listing the names of their sponsors, adding that the police had visited some locations within Oyo State where some incriminating items were recovered.

The Commissioner urged parents and leaders to discourage their wards from engaging in activities that threaten public order, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to safeguard the state and nation.