Over 9,000 Yorubas cross Seme, Idiroko borders in support of Sunday Igboho

It was earlier reported that prior to his arrest for immigration offences, Mr. Igboho was said to be on his way to Germany with his wife, a German citizen.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had raided his residence in the Sooka area of Ibadan on July 1, 2021, killing two of his aides and arresting 12 of his staunch supporters who have remained in security custody till now.

The spokesperson of the DSS, Peter Afunnaya had said a total of seven AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and charms were recovered from his residence. The secret said it was illegal for Igboho to be in possession of firearms, thus declared him wanted.

Since his arrest, the Federal Government, led by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt.-General Tukur Buratai, has made deliberate efforts to extradite Igboho back to the country.

Yorubas rally around Igboho
In addition to the 9000 Yorubas said to have crossed the Seme and Idiroko borders, The Street Journal had also reported that Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, on Sunday, July 25, sent a delegation to Cotonou, Benin Republic, to observe the proceedings of the court case against Mr. Igboho.

Oba Adetunji said those sent to observe the court proceedings would be in court on Monday. However, he did not disclose the identity of those he sent.

A statement by his Personal Assistant/Director of Media and Publicity Adeola Oloko quoted the Olubadan as saying the decision became necessary to allay the fears of several people, including protesters who besiege his palace repeatedly and assure he was not folding his arms over the travails of Igboho and his supporters.

“Sunday Igboho lives in Ibadan, got married in Ibadan, raised children in Ibadan, built houses in Ibadan and as such he has the rights to be protected by Ibadan Traditional Institution within the ambit of the law just like any human being in Ibadan,” the media aide quoted the monarch.

Similarly, some Yoruba monarchs converged at the Benin Republi court, Cour D’appel De Cotonou, for the trial of Igboho.

A Yoruba rights group, Isokan Omo Odua, has also mobilized supporters for the embattled Yoruba activist as a sign of solidarity.

Delayed Trial

This newspaper gathered that the Benoise authorities had presented Igboho in court early enough, as at 4:00 pm WAT, proceedings were yet to start.

This came even as friends and well-wishers had converged as early as 7:00 am.

There are indications that the trial may be postponed to a later date.