Gunmen suspected to be be Yoruba nation agitators have engaged the operatives of the Nigerian Police in gun-battle at Oyo government secteriat in Ibadan.
At least, three of the agitators were reportedly killed by the security operatives during the incident.
Oyo State police spokesman SP Adewale Osifeso also confirmed the arrest of 20 suspects in a statement issued in Ibadan.
Osifeso stated that the 20 suspects arrested had in their possession three pump action guns, 29 life cartridges, two expended cartridges, 67 cutlasses, five bulletproof vests and six pairs of boots.
He added that they also had 10 Public Address Systems, three berets with Oodua insignia crafted on them, seven belts, 11 Oodua Nation camouflage uniforms, one unregistered bus and three motorcycles.
Osifeso stressed that the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, successfully thwarted the agitators’ attempt to forcefully take over the secretariat.
“The suspects, who wore military camouflage, came heavily armed in an unregistered bus and had cutlasses, pump action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms and an Oodua Nation agitation flag with them.
“They were overpowered and completely suppressed by officers and men of the police in concert with those of sister security agencies,’’ he stated.
Mr Osifeso described the act of the suspects as criminal and unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism.
He assured that appropriate punishment would be meted out to those found culpable while the police would continue to protect law-abiding citizens.
The spokesman stated that the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Adebola Hamzat, had already ordered an investigation and an enlargement of the dragnet to arrest others connected with the incident.
DAILY GIST gathered that the armed men had strategically positioned themselves at various locations within the Secretariat premises.
Some were reportedly stationed at the Governor’s office gate, while others were observed at the House of Assembly Gate and the main entrance.
The presence of these masked men caused fear and anxiety in the area, with security personnel attempting to address the situation without success.
However, law enforcement officers, including the Police Command and other anti-crime agencies, swiftly responded by deploying multiple patrol vehicles to the Secretariat entrance.
Additionally, members of the Oyo security network known as Amotekun were also reported to have arrived at the scene.
The situation, according to report, nearly descended into chaos as security personnel engaged the protesters in a gun-duel.
Teargas were also said to have been fired with the situation sending panic to residents around the axis.
Motorists travelling along the route have been forced to take alternative paths while other road users hurried to find safety.
Despite the efforts of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (retired), to calm the situation, the masked gunmen persisted in their attempt to raise their flag at the Secretariat.
However, the arrival of military officers from the 2nd Division of the Nigerian Army reportedly changed the course of events, causing some of the protesters at the entrance gate to flee.
