Ogun: Eight agitators for “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba” arrested

By Ige Adekunle

Eight members of a group agitating for the “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba” have been arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers in Sango-Ota area of Ogun State.

The agitators were arrested on Christmas day, for allegedly assaulting police officers who tried to remove the road block they mounted at Temidire Junction and Under-Bridge area of Sango-Ota.

Ogun Police Command spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, announced this in a statement on Friday in Abeokuta.

According to him, the eight suspects were arrested for breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and assault on police officers.

He said on Christmas day, at Temidire Junction and Under-Bridge, Sango-Ota, the group agitating under the aegis of “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba” unlawfully barricaded roads.

He added that the suspects also set bonfires, disrupted free flow of traffic, and attacked police officers deployed to maintain law and order.

” Upon receiving the report, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the affected locations, successfully dispersed the group, and arrested all the suspects”he said.

He said that exhibits recovered include a Toyota Dyna vehicle used to convey the suspects, two broadcast, a carton containing flags, shirts bearing inscriptions of their agitation, and banners displaying their messages and manifesto.

Babaseyi said that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

The Ogun Commissioner of Police, Mr Larne Ogunlowo, has reassures residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

Ogunlowo also warned that the Police would not tolerate any act capable of breaching public peace, adding that any assault on police officers will be met with decisive action

He urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities promptly through the Command’s emergency toll free lines– 0800 000 9111; 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.

(NAN)