₦airaland Forum

BREAKING: Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Igboho arrested in Cotonou

Kayode Oyero
20 July 2021

Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo also known as Sunday Igboho, has been arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, The PUNCH has learnt.

He was arrested at an airport in Cotonou on Monday night, a top source familiar with the matter told our correspondent.

Igboho was arrested by the security forces in Benin Republic about three weeks after the Department of State Services declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms, an allegation he has since denied.

The source told The PUNCH that Igboho will be repatriated to Nigeria on Tuesday (today) from Benin Republic, one of Nigeria’s neighbouring countries in the West African sub region.

“He was arrested in Cotonou while he tried to travel out on Monday night. His destination was Germany. The security forces in Benin Republic should repatriate him to Nigeria on Tuesday,” the source said.

The Nigerian secret police had raided Igboho’s Ibadan residence in the Soka area on July 1, 2021, arrested about 12 of his aides and killed two of them in a gun duel.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had placed the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service on alert to stop Igboho from leaving the country.

When contacted, a member of Igboho’s legal team, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said he would speak with the lead counsel, Yomi Aliyu (SAN), and revert later.

DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, did not respond to a text message seeking confirmation on the matter.

Afunanya, at a briefing on July 1, 2021, had vowed that “Igboho may run as far as he can. He may hide as long as he wants…But this will be the end of his shenanigans.”

EXCLUSIVE: Yoruba Freedom Fighter, Sunday Igboho Arrested in Cotonou

Igboho was arrested Monday night after fleeing Nigeria to evade arrest by Nigeria's secret police.

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORK.
JUL 19, 2021

Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic by security operatives in the West African country.

Igboho was arrested Monday night after fleeing Nigeria to evade arrest by Nigeria's secret police.

A source privy to his departure from Nigeria said he had perfected plans to secretly escape from Nigeria through Cotonou and was heading to Germany.

He was, however, nabbed by security operatives in the neighboring country.

Speaking with SaharaReporters, a source privy to the incident, said, "Sunday Igboho has been arrested in Cotonou. He was arrested about an hour ago.

"He was supposed to travel to Germany through Cotonou this night. He wanted to leave Africa through Cotonou. He was arrested by security operatives in Cotonou.

"They are planning to bring him back to Nigeria."

Recall that the Department of State Services had declared Igboho wanted after its operatives carried out a bloody midnight raid on his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunnaya, had advised Igboho to turn himself in to the nearest security.

“Those cheering and eulogizing him may appeal to or advice him to do the needful,” Afunnaya said. “He should surrender himself to the appropriate authorities. He or anyone can never be above the law."

Pelumi Olajengbesi, one of the lawyers representing Igboho and others arrested in his House, told SaharaReporters he had not confirmed the news of Igboho's arrest in Cotonou.

"I will contact Yomi Aliu (SAN) to verify the news," he said.

Tokyo Olympics: The USA beat Nigeria’s D’Tigress in final test game

No Nigerian player scored in double figures.

ByTunde Eludini July 19, 2021


The USA women’s basketball national team will be heading to the Tokyo Olympics in a more buoyant mood.

The Americans who lost their two earlier test games finished their friendly schedule before the 2020 Olympics with an emphatic 93-62 victory over Nigeria’s D’Tigress on Sunday in Las Vegas.

Having seen the Nigeria men’s team stun their male counterparts some days back, the American ladies attacked Sunday’s friendly in a business-like fashion

The Americans held D’Tigress to just 30.6 per cent shooting while they shot 53.8 per cent overall. They also outscored Nigeria in all four quarters of the game, though only by one point in the third quarter.

The top performers for the US were A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart who led with 16 points and 10 rebounds and 14 points and six assists, respectively.

For D’Tigress, Atonye Nyingifa led with nine points. Atlanta Dream’s center Elizabeth Williams played 29 minutes, scored four points; meaning no Nigerian player scored in double figures.

In Sunday’s friendly, Chiney Ogwumike, who is the younger sister of Nneka was allowed to play for Nigeria, but SBNation reports she is appealing FIBA’s decision to classify her as a naturalized citizen.

Nneka on her part didn’t play as the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) is reviewing their cases.

Interestingly, their first game in the group stage will also be against Nigeria on July 27 in which D’Tigress will hope for a better result.