The Federal Government (FG) is alleged to be making plans to arrest renowned historian and leader of the umbrella body of Yoruba self-determination groups, Ilana Omo Oodua, Prof. Banji Akintoye.
Akintoye has been on the radar of the security operatives over his involvement in the latest agitations for the secession of Southwestern region of Nigeria to establish a new nation called Oòduà Republic, Punch reported Sunday.
Akintoye, an eminent scholar of Yoruba history has been at the àbalkanisation of Nigeria. He, alongside popular Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho and other activists had organised mega rallies in all the Yoruba states, which according to them were aimed at sensitising the yoruba indigenes on the need to join the call for session.
Meanwhile, the source disclosed that since the activities of Akintoye caught the attention of Nigerian authorities, security operatives have been plotting to arrest and harrass the elder statesman.
The source also confirmed that Akintoye, in a bid to outsmart his ‘enemies’ fled to Benin Republic and has been keeping a low profile.
The source also added that security forces had planned Akintoye’s arrest before the raid of Igboho’s residence in the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State.
“It is true that the Federal Government wants to arrest him (Akintoye), they want to intimidate him and detain him.
“There were plans to pick him up and intimidate him and put him behind bars in an attempt to kill the struggle but the plot was uncovered and he left. He didn’t step out of Nigeria for more than five years before he left some three months back when the plot to arrest him was uncovered.
“But what has Baba done if not only that he is agitating for Yoruba Nation? He is agitating for the sovereignty of Yoruba Nation which is a fundamental human right. They want to charge him for treason. But it is not a crime to ask for self-determination or dissolution of a country.
“Baba is not hiding; he left Nigeria for Republic of Benin months back. He is not hiding, but you need to be faster than your enemies,” the source said.
Recall that the operatives of the Department of State Services(DSS) raided Igboho’s residence on July 1, 2021.
The DSS arrested 12 associates of Igboho and allegedly recovered several arms and ammunitions from the residence of the activist.
Igboho who narrowly escaped the bloody raid, went underground. But he was apprehended by security operatives in Cotonou, Benin Republic on July 19, 2021.
Unlike Akintoye, Igboho was not able to successfully flee from the Nigerian authorities as the security operatives who identified him while trying to catch a flight to Germany stopped him and has since been remanded in a prison facility in Benin.
