By Adeyinka Adeniran
More suspects have been arrested by security operatives in their bid to restore normalcy to the Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan on Saturday.
In the latest effort, no fewer than seven agitators in military camouflage were arrested.
It was gathered that before the arrest was made, the agitators have successfully hoisted the Yoruba Nation flag on the pole of the Oyo State House of Assembly.
In a video seen by Corenews on Saturday, while three of the men were seated at the backseat of a Police Patrol van, two others who have sustained injuries were seen at the back of the van lying down with blood stain.
It could not be confirmed if the blood stain was due to gun shot injuries.
Additionally, two others agitators, including a woman were seen stationed by the side of the police van been searched by the security operatives.
During the search, it was observed that almost all the arrested uniformed agitators had different charms, amulets on and around their bodies.
As at the time of this report, the Oyo State Police Command was yet to make any official statement on the development and particularly number of arrests so far made.
Recall that two people were earlier arrested, an old man and a middle aged man, bearing the Yoruba Nation flag.
It was gathered that the agitators occupied and attempted to overwhelm security operatives at the State Assembly complex and entire secretariat, Saturday morning.
Eyewitnesses reported that the agitators had arrived in an ash-colored Hiace bus and two motorcycles, which had been seized and taken to the State Police Headquarters.
The gunmen reportedly headed straight to the State House of Assembly premises, removing the Nigerian national flag and replacing it with their own Yoruba Nation flag before security forces intervened.
While some of the agitators were arrested, others fled the scene, pursued by security personnel into the nearby bushes and forest, according to sources.
According to unconfirmed reports, a total of 16 suspects have been arrested, with two sustaining bullet wounds, while some others escaped with gunshot injuries.
The Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Security, CP Fatai Owoseni (retired) confirmed that the situation has been brought under control, with the combined team of security personnel successfully subduing the agitators.
He described the gunmen as “miscreants” and urged the public not to panic saying “We were able to arrest some of them while others fled. There is no need to panic. Everything is under control.”
Security personnel have been stationed at the secretariat gate to ensure the safety of the area.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state,Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident but noted that he was still gathering details about the situation.
