Police Arrest Eight In Ogun Over Assault On Officers, Violent Agitation For Yoruba Republic

ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight (8) suspects for breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and serious assault on police officers on Christmas Day.

The suspects acting under the aegis of ‘Democratic Republic of the Yoruba’ were arrested in parts of Sango-Ota, Ogun State, specifically at Temidire Junction and Under-Bridge, Sango-Ota.

The group, while agitating under the banner of “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba,” unlawfully barricaded roads, set bonfires, disrupted the free flow of traffic, and attacked police officers deployed to maintain law and order.

Police spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force(NPF), Ogun Command, Oluseyi Babaseyi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), who confirmed this in a release on Friday,y being Boxing Day, said police operatives swiftly mobilised to the affected locations, successfully dispersed the group when the command was alerted to the disturbance.

Babaseyi identified the suspects as Adewale Sosanya, ‘M’ aged 48; Opeyemi Oladotun, ‘M’ aged 31; Zara Gabriel, ‘F’ aged 22; Ajoke Gabriel, ‘F’ aged 19; Adewale Adebomojo, ‘F’ aged 48; Yusuf Tanimowo, ‘M’ aged 40; Olurotimi Ademola, ‘M’ aged 52; and Toyin Gabriel, ‘F’ aged 40.

He listed a Toyota vehicle used to convey the suspects, two broadcast speakers, a carton containing flags, shirts bearing inscriptions of their agitation, and banners displaying their messages and manifesto as exhibits recovered from them.

Babaseyi also noted that the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of the investigation, even as he quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, as assuring residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding life and property.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, reassures residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property. He warns that the Police will not tolerate any act capable of breaching public peace and emphasises that any assault on police officers will be met with decisive action.

“He urges members of the public to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities promptly through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (General Complaints Line – Toll Free): 0800 000 9111; Emergency Numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994,” he said.