Police Arrest 8 Yoruba Republic Agitators In Ogun

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight suspected members of self-styled “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba” (DRY) group over alleged breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and assault on police officers in Sango-Ota, Ogun State.

The arrests were made on Christmas Day, December 25, following a disturbance at Temidire Junction and the Under-Bridge area of Sango-Ota.

Police said the group unlawfully barricaded major roads, set bonfires, and disrupted the free flow of traffic while agitating under the group’s banner.

According to the command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, officers deployed to restore law and order at the scene were attacked by members of the group.

He said police operatives swiftly mobilised, dispersed the gathering, and arrested the suspects.

“On 25th December 2025, Christmas Day, at Temidire Junction and Under-Bridge, Sango-Ota, a group agitating under the aegis of “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba” unlawfully barricaded roads, set bonfires, disrupted the free flow of traffic, and attacked police officers deployed to maintain law and order.

“Upon receiving the report, police operatives swiftly mobilized to the affected locations, successfully dispersed the group,” Babaseyi said in a statement on Friday.

Those arrested were identified as Adewale Sosanya (48), Opeyemi Oladotun (31), Zara Gabriel (22), Ajoke Gabriel (19), Adewale Adebomojo (48), Yusuf Tanimowo (40), Olurotimi Ademola (52), and Toyin Gabriel (40).

Police also recovered several items from the suspects, including a Toyota Dyna vehicle allegedly used to convey them, two broadcast speakers, flags, shirts bearing inscriptions linked to their agitation, and banners displaying messages and a manifesto.

The Command stated that investigations are ongoing and that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the probe.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, reassured residents of the police’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state.

He warned that acts capable of breaching public peace would not be tolerated and stressed that assaults on police officers would attract decisive action.

The police further urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines, including the Gateway Shield toll-free line, 0800 000 9111, and other designated emergency numbers.

According to the DRY’s website, its sovereignty was proclaimed on April 12, 2024, by Modupe Onitiri-Abiola (Chief Mrs), described as the Mother of the Indigenous Yoruba People (IYP) of the Democratic Republic of the Yoruba. The group stated that the proclamation followed an earlier declaration of independence on November 20, 2022.

Following the proclamation of sovereignty on April 12, 2024, Mobolaji Olawale Akinola Omokore was sworn in as Head of the Provisional Government.

The DRY claims to be the 55th nation-state in Africa and the 17th in West Africa.

In a statement published on its website, the group said: “This is the first time a nation will emerged out of Africa peacefully without conflict. This nation is known as Democratic Republic of the Yoruba, (DRY) Democratic Republic of the Yoruba is the handwork of God Almighty through the effort of our beloved mother,Modupeola Onitiri-Abiola (Chief Mrs) (MOA) This is good to hear and we all shout for joy to the Almighty God.”