OYO: Why I went shirtless during encounter with DSS officials – Sunday Igboho

POPULAR Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, has broken his silence on what transpired between him and the joint security operatives who allegedly tried to arrest him last week.

Igboho also explained why he went shirtless as seen in a viral video that made the encounter known to the public.

In the video, a shirtless Igboho was seen with his men daring the security operatives and throwing expletives. 

But reacting to the development, yesterday, while featuring on a radio programme, ‘City Talks with Reuben Abati’ monitored by Naija Times, Igboho said, “Why I pull off my clothes was that one of the DSS operatives violently held onto my shirt. So, I decided to pull off the clothes and give it to him for us to drag the matter.

“They started shooting when we began to drag the matter. The whole episode was an embarrassment for me. I am a responsible man, I am a Yoruba citizen, I am fighting for the rights of the Yoruba people. They don’t have to embarrass me.”

Continuing, the rights activist said, “I’m a businessman. I pay my tax to the Federal Government every month and I have evidence of tax payment. Should I be going on the road and some people attempt to kill me? For what? Why do they want to kill me… because their plan on Friday was to assassinate me. Why?

“There is insecurity in the country. Fulani people are raping our people and killing our people in the forests but the security operatives are not going there to confront them. Instead, they are offered ransom. It is just sad that the government is threatening the common man living peacefully in the country. It should not be so.”

Igboho also said a joint team of DSS operatives, soldiers, and civil defence were on the Friday mission to arrest him, noting that there was no policeman on the team.

He alleged that the DSS officials planned to assassinate him.

Though the DSS denied the attempted arrest, the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere; Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), amongst others have since condemned the DSS attempt.

Igboho rose to prominence last month when he issued an eviction notice to herdsmen accused of sundry crimes in the Ibarapa area of Oyo State and enforced same.

The attempt to arrest the activist happened two days ago along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while, along with his supporters, he was on the way to meet with 93-year-old Afenifere chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo.