Just In: Igboho Releases New Year Message, Tells Buhari Government To Do Its Job, Protect Nigerians

Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, says he is not at war with the President Muhammadu Buhari, state governors or any government official.

Igboho disclosed this in his 2022 New Year Message signed by one of his lawyers in Nigeria, Pelumi Olajengbesi.

The activist said everyone living in the country deserves to be protected regardless of their tribe, religion or political leanings.

The message reads, “Let it be abundantly clear that I am not at war with President Buhari, State Governors or anybody in government. What I want the government to do is address the genesis of my agitation for a Yoruba Nation. The genesis is the insecurity in Ibarapaland and other places in the South-West where farmers are habitually maimed, hacked to death, kidnapped and raped as if there are no security agents in the country. Everybody deserves to be protected and ought to feel safe in their country regardless of their tribe, religion or political leaning.

“At some point, our people became helpless and could no longer go to their farmlands again. Scores of farmers were butchered to death in 2021 and the government pretended that all was okay. No, this must not continue and this was why I rose to stop the menace. I did not speak up to fight government, I spoke up to ensure the protection of my people and land.

“In 2022, the government must rise up and put an end to the havoc caused by herdsmen that are criminals and give everyone a sense of belonging – whether foreigners or locals — and stop the attack on my people in Yorubaland.

“I am not selfish and this has never been about me. I am more concerned about the helpless citizens who buried their loved ones to aimless killings in 2021 and I pray that the Almighty God through divine intervention stops the killings of innocent people in Nigeria in 2022 and beyond.

“In 2022, it would indeed be to my greatest satisfaction to see my people live without fear and with the confidence that their lives matter if no place else then in their own homes, lands and farms. This is my abiding hope for my people, so help me God.”

For over five months, the 49-year-old agitator has been in detention in neighbouring Benin Republic since his arrest around 8pm on July 19, 2021 at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou.

The Cour De’appal De Cotonou since the arraignment of Igboho on July 27, 2021, has not sat, fuelling speculations that the detention of Igboho is laced with political undertones.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had on July 1 raided the residence of the activist in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Igboho had planned to attend a ”Yoruba Nation Rally” in Lagos before the raid.

The DSS raided the residence, killing two people and arresting 12 aides but Igboho escaped.

The agency alleged that Igboho was stockpiling weapons, and subsequently declared him wanted, but he has since denied the allegation.