The Nigeria Defence Headquarters has debunked the allegations by an O’odua activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Igboho, who claimed that the Federal Government sent soldiers to ‘spy’ on him.
The defence headquarters also gave stark warning to Igboho and other individuals to desist from dragging its reputation to gain political mileage.
The New Diplomat had reported that Igboho, on Friday, reportedly captured two suspected soldiers for allegedly spying on him.
This was contained in a viral video posted on the official facebook page of Olayiwola Koiki, Igboho’s Spokesman.
Igboho was seen in the video parading two men in military camouflage as suspects who were spying on him.
However, the two suspected soldiers denied the allegations, stating that they had different mission.
Reacting, the Defence Headquarters denied the allegations, stating that the military has no interest in joining any political issue.
According to a statement released by the Defence Headquarters and signed by Brigadier General B.E. Onyeuko, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, the alarm raised by Igboho was false, stating that the Nigeria Army will never stoop so low to such extent to “spy” on the self-acclaimed “Yoruba activist.”
The military also vowed to investigate the matter and unravel the actual circumstance which played out that day.
The military, however, warned that such false alarm from Igboho and others will not be condoned in the future.
The full statement from the Defence Headquarters reads: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to a trending video clip on the Social Media, and some other media reports with the above headline, alleging that some Nigerian Military personnel were on a spying mission to the residence of one Sunday Adeyemo otherwise known as “Sunday Igboho” before they were apprehended.”
“In the viral video which was released on Friday 19 March 2021, the alleged “soldiers” were seen being accused of having been sent by the Government to do a ‘survey’ of Sunday Igboho’s Soka residence in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The self-acclaimed ‘Yoruba activist’ also alleged that the action of the so-called “soldiers” was orchestrated by the Federal Government as a result of comments he made alleging that Yorubas are no longer a part of Nigeria.”
“While the Defence Headquarters has no interest in dragging or joining issues with Sunday Adeyemo or his associates, it is pertinent to clear the air and address these allegations squarely.”
“For the records, it should be noted that the Armed Forces of Nigeria, are highly professional in the discharge of their duties, with well-defined roles, responsibilities and duties in its mandate of securing the territorial integrity of the Nigerian Nation. As such, the Military cannot stoop so low to such extent to “spy” on one individual, as wildly and loosely alleged.”
“Secondly, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a highly disciplined and professional organization with extant laws and regulations which guide the actions of its personnel in the conduct of their duties. As such, it is practically impossible for military personnel on official duty to conduct themselves in such a manner as alleged by Adeyemo and his cohorts.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, preliminary investigation has so far revealed that one of the alleged “soldiers” is a serial impersonator. Meanwhile, credible eyewitnesses and sources have also revealed that some associates of Igboho went in pursuit of some individuals when the motorbike conveying the impersonator and one Nigerian Air Force personnel ran into them. The duo were immediately apprehended and taken to the said “IGBOHO House” at Soka before Ibadan toll gate where they were branded as spies. Furthermore, investigations are currently underway by Nigerian Airforce and the Nigerian Army to unravel the actual circumstances which played out on the day.”
“The Defence Headquarters hereby warns individuals and groups to desist from disparaging the enviable reputation of the Nigerian Military by dragging it into its petty issues to gain political mileage. Such actions will not be condoned in the future.”
It would be recalled that, in February, it was reported that a joint team of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS), attempted to arrest Igboho.
However, the attempt was reportedly foiled by Igboho and his teeming supporters.
