A group of Yoruba Nation agitators staged a failed attempt to take control of key government buildings in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State. The separatists stormed the state secretariat and the House of Assembly complex, reportedly aiming to declare an independent Yoruba nation. Clad in military-style uniforms and armed with weapons, they caught public attention as they raised flags and chanted pro-secession slogans within the premises.
However, their takeover was short-lived. Security forces—including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and Amotekun Corps—swiftly moved in and overpowered the group within a few hours. Authorities arrested over 20 suspects on the spot.
Weapons, Insignias, and Seized Items
According to police reports, the agitators were in possession of several pump-action rifles, cutlasses, bulletproof vests, and other combat gear. Officers also recovered Oodua Nation flags, berets, megaphones, motorcycles, and an unregistered bus used in the operation. The arrested suspects reportedly wore identical camouflage outfits with Yoruba Nation insignias.
Charges and Detention Orders
Following their arrest, 29 individuals connected to the attempted insurrection were arraigned at a Magistrate Court in Oyo State. They faced a range of serious charges, including treasonable felony, membership of an unlawful group, possession of illegal firearms, and acts likely to cause a breach of peace. Magistrate O.O. Ogunkanmi ordered their remand in custody until August 1, 2024, as investigations and legal proceedings continue.
Authorities Demolish Suspected Operational Base
In a further response to the incident, the Oyo State Government demolished a building allegedly used as the separatists’ base of operations in Ibadan South West Local Government Area. Officials said the move was necessary to dismantle the group’s local infrastructure and send a message of zero tolerance for insurgency and illegal militancy within the state.
Yoruba Leaders Denounce Attack
Prominent Yoruba leaders, including Prof. Banji Akintoye and Sunday Igboho, condemned the group’s actions and distanced themselves from the failed coup. Akintoye emphasized that the individuals involved did not represent the legitimate Yoruba Nation campaign. He identified Modupe Onitiri-Abiola, widow of the late MKO Abiola, as the alleged leader behind the plot and dismissed her faction as a splinter group acting independently of recognized Yoruba nationalist movements.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Unity
The attempted insurrection has been widely condemned across political and civil society groups in Nigeria. Security agencies have pledged to remain vigilant and clamp down on any actions that threaten national unity. While the Yoruba Nation movement continues to advocate for greater autonomy and recognition, mainstream figures within the group have reiterated their commitment to peaceful and democratic processes.
This incident marks one of the most aggressive moves by a separatist faction in southwestern Nigeria and underscores ongoing tensions over governance, federalism, and regional identity in the country.
