By Idris Mayegun
On April 13, 2024, a group of masked individuals identifying themselves as Yoruba Nation agitators stormed the Oyo State Secretariat and House of Assembly in Agodi, Ibadan.
They lowered the Nigerian flag and raised what they called the Yoruba Democratic Republic flag, attempting to assert secession from Nigeria.
A woman claiming to be “Modupe Abiola‑Onitiri, President of the Yoruba Nation,” delivered a proclamation on camera.
She declared the formation of a sovereign Democratic Republic of Yorubaland, positioning it as the 55th African state, with key dates referenced: reclamation on December 18, 2022, and proclamation on April 12, 2024.
Security forces swiftly arrested between 9 and 29 suspects linked to the incident. They were accused of treasonable felony, unlawful assembly, conspiracy, and possession of firearms and ammunition.
Notable among them were 27 individuals arraigned at the Oyo State High Court (Case I/51C/2024). Democrat Lateef Adejumo reportedly died while in custody.
Their trial was formally adjourned to November 13, 2024.
Prominent leaders like Prof. Banji Akintoye and Sunday Igboho (Sunday Adeyemo) emphatically disowned the stunt, stressing their support for peaceful, legitimate political processes.
However, some alleged members of some Yoruba socio-cultural groups and social clubs linked with the incident are still being hunted by the security operatives.
Based on intelligence reaching us, the operatives have vowed not to leave any stone unturned.
The listed members are Mrs. Modupe Onitire Abiola, Olugbenga Akanni, Mustapha Bashiru, Akinola Ayodeji, Saheed Ogundare, and Alhaji Jamiu Fakoya.
Others within Yoruba civil society and traditional councils likewise condemned the act as extremist and unsupported by mainstream Yoruba movements.
The Oyo State Government demolished a building alleged to be the base of operations for the agitators back in 2024.
Meanwhile, in a heightened recent operation carried out simultaneously in Oyo, Ogun, and some parts of the Lagos suburb in the early hours of Sunday morning, the 13th of July, 2025, by combined security operatives, buildings and properties reportedly linked to key figures of the movement are being demolished. The exercise follows intelligence-led raids.
Sources confirm that the operation is part of an ongoing investigation stemming from the April 2024 attempted takeover of the Oyo State Government.
Lawmakers called for increased surveillance, especially around the Agodi Secretariat and Assembly complex, to prevent a recurrence.
The Federal Government reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against all forms of secessionist activities, cultism, banditry, insurgency, and widespread kidnapping, affirming its commitment to national unity, peace, and constitutional order.
