June 12: Police, Soldiers Patrol Ibadan As Leader Of Secessionist Group Urges Protest

The police, soldiers Amotekun corps and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have started patroling the streets of Ibadan in show of force ahead of June 12.

Yoruba Nation agitators, including Sunday Igboho and others have vowed to stage public protest on June 12 which is Democracy Day in the country.

June 12, 1993 was the day the country held a presidential election considered the freest and fairest in its history.

Chief MKO Abiola who contested on the platform of the Social Democratic Party defeated the candidate of the National Republican Convention , Bashir Tofar, but the result of the poll was anulled and Abiola who insisted on his mandate was locked up and eventually died in detention.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ngozi Onadeko, however warned against any act that could destroy the peace of the state on June 12 and beyond.

The CP gave this warning in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, in Friday.

The statement reads, ” The Oyo State Police Command under the constructive leadership of CP Ngozi Onadeko fdc commenced a sensitization and awareness patrol on Thursday 10th June, 2021 around the state in a bid to sensitize the general public on the need to shun any form of involvement in unpatriotic acts and criminal activities counterproductive to the current level of peace enjoyed during and beyond the June 12, Democracy day celebration. 

“In furtherance to the above, Oyo State  Police Command in collaboration with other sister security agencies, on Friday 11th June, 2021, embarked on a show of force across the nooks and crannies of the state, with the purpose of asserting presence, availability and readiness to deal decisively with any peace threatening advances. 

“Consequent upon this, the Commissioner of Police wishes to appeal to stakeholders, principal  actors, parents, guardians and heads of various religious sects, to use their influence to advice against acts that would unnecessarily heat up the polity.”

Meanwhile, the Ilana Omo Oodua has thrown its weight behind those who are planning to organise protest on June 12.

The group, which is being led by Prof. Banji Akintoye, urges Yoruba Nation agitators to come out and protest while stressing that the protests should be peaceful.

The group said this in a statement signed by the Secretary , Ilana Omo Oodua, George Akinola and Media and Communication Secretary, Maxwell Adeleye .

The statement read, “We expect the police and security team, especially, in Lagos State to exhibit the same level of maturity and candour we met at the other venues where we conducted our earlier rallies tomorrow.

“Our people, as usual, are encouraged to come out gaily dressed in Oodua Nation colours and vests or Omoluabi white and to carry the Yoruba flag while singing the ‘Ogo Adulawo’, Yoruba Nation national anthem with zest and gutso.

“We are presently in a mourning mood after the unprovoked heinous and dastardly attack unleashed on our people at Igangan in Oyo State by sponsored Fulani terrorists.
We have not forgotten!

“This further reinforces the resolve of Yoruba people to leave Nigeria to form a civilised nation of our own.”