Members of the Agbekoya Solidarity Movement of Nigeria, representing the interest of farmers in Ibadan, Oyo State, have taken to the streets to call for the immediate release of Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
In a video shared by BBC Pidgin, the protesters started the protest from Mapo Hall in Ibadan, carrying placards boldly demanding the release of Igboho whom they claimed was fighting for their rights.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Back to the 1960 national constitution”, “Free free free Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho. He is not a criminal”, and “Agricultural revolution and safety for farmers now”.
Igboho was arrested alongside his wife in Cotonou, Benin Republic by security operatives in the West African country on July 19 after fleeing Nigeria to evade arrest by Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS).
The DSS had declared Igboho wanted after its operatives carried out a bloody raid on his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State, killing two people and arresting 12 aides but Igboho escaped.
DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunnaya, had advised Igboho to turn himself in before he was arrested in Benin Republic while trying to travel to Germany.
However, Igboho’s wife has since been released from police custody while Igboho remains in detention in the West African country.
Calls for the release of Igboho have been on the increase lately.
Some days ago, a Nigerian-American philanthropist, Toyin Dawodu urged the Benin Republic government to immediately release Igboho from detention.
Dawodu, in a statement issued on Tuesday, warned that the Beninese government must ensure the adequate release of the activist within seven days or “face serious consequences of the nature of an economic embargo that as a country, it may never recover from, in a very long time.”
The philanthropist stated that the continual remand of Igboho, a popular figure among the Yoruba might attract the fury of the people who are responsible for 80% of its revenue as a country, in the last 60 years.
This, he said will hurt the economy of the neighbouring West African state.
Also, some weeks ago, Igboho’s lawyer, Yomi Alliyu pleaded with the government of Benin Republic to immediately release the activist for urgent medical attention overseas.
Olayomi Koiki, Igboho’s spokesperson had also said his principal was in urgent need of medical attention.
