By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have arrested 20 suspects over the invasion of the State government premises in Agodi, Ibadan, on Saturday.
The Police Command’s spokesman, Osifeso Adewale, who disclosed this shortly after the arrest said some items were recovered from the invaders who are suspected members of the Yoruba Nation group.
The invaders, who arrived at the place earlier today in buses had attempted to enter the Governor’s Office during the siege but the gallantry of security operatives frustrated that plot.
They wore masks and scarves and hoisted a flag, suspected to be that of the agitators, in the area during the early morning attack.
According to the police, the suspects, who were on military camouflages came heavily armed in an unregistered silver coloured Nissan Urban Caravan bus containing cutlasses, pump action rifles, cartridges, assorted charms, and an Oodua nation agitation flag.
Some witnesses had said gunshots were heard following an exchange of fire between them and security agents.
In the wake of the invasion, a combined team of security operatives including soldiers took over the area, blocking entry and exit points to the Oyo State Government Secretariat. Traffic was thereafter diverted from the place.
Items recovered include: 3 pump action guns, 291 life cartridges, 2 expended cartridges, 67 cutlasses, 5 bulletproof vests, 6 pairs of boots, 10 megaphone public address systems, 3 Oodua style beret caps, 7 belts, 11 Oodua Nation army camouflage uniforms, 1 unregistered Nissan Urban Caravan bus and 3 TVS motor motorcycles.
Adewale further disclosed that investigations have been launched to probe the matter, with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department, leading the team.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government is yet to comment on the matter.
