The residence of Chief Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba activist and prominent agitator for the independence of the Yoruba nation was reportedly attacked by gunmen.
The yet-to-be-identified gunmen who adorned Nigerian military camouflage stormed the Ibadan residence of the separatist leader in the early hours of Thursday, July 1, 2021.
In a live feed captured by the media page of Igboho’s spokesperson, Mr. Olayomi Koiki, which has been viral on social media, it could be observed that even though Igboho was not at home at the time of the incident, the attack was carried with destruction in mind.
While his properties and furniture, including, his vehicles – a G-wagon and a Prado jeep – suffered a certain degree of damage, ranging from the shattered windscreen to bullet holes, a serious amount of bloodstain could be seen on the floor of the sitting room.
At the time of this report, it is not clear whose blood was on the floor of the house as captured by the live video, however, it has been widely reported that seven persons were killed and Sunday Igboho’s wife was abducted during the invasion with her whereabouts still unknown.
This is coming, just hours after the federal government announced that they have rearrested the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Several online media have reported that the attack was carried out by the Nigerian military because of the army uniform worn by the unknown assailants however, the Nigerian Army has since distanced itself from the incident at the home of Sunday Igboho.
In his reaction, the leader of the Umbrella Body of Yoruba Self-Determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO), Prof Banji Akintoye, in a statement said the attack was carried out by the Nigerian Army.
“This is an emergency response to an emergency matter by Ilana Omo Oodua. Around 1am today Thursday 1st July 2021, the Ibadan, Oyo State Residence of one of the leading men in our struggle for Self-Determination in Yoruba Land, Chief Sunday Adeyemo fondly called Sunday Igboho was unfortunately attacked by gunmen.
“I want to say to the whole world that the attack was carried out by the elements of the Nigerian Army who were accompanied by International Terrorists hired by the Nigerian State.
“The assailants spoke the French language fluently. Seven people were killed by the attackers, with their corpses were taken away. Scores of people, including the wife of Chief Igboho, were also taken away by the gunmen.
“Let me state without any fear or intimidation that the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration was responsible for the war that has just been declared against the peace-loving people of Yoruba land.
“We have been peaceful since the inception of this struggle. We have adhered to both the Nigerian and International laws guiding the agitation for self-determination.
“All our agitations have been peaceful, orderly, and lawfully executed. We have commended the officers of the Nigerian Police many time for being professional in their modus of operations in relating to our protests and rallies for Self-Determination in Yoruba Cities.
“Therefore, I say on behalf of the Yoruba people that this attack on Chief Igboho’s house was unnecessary, unfortunate, wicked, callous, cruel, irresponsible, illegal, and atrocious.
“We are holding the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration responsible for this barbaric attack. This is a declaration of war against peace-loving people.
“I call on our people across at home and in the diaspora to immediately begin mass protests in front of palaces in Yoruba land, and opposite the offices of the United Nations, European Union, British, French and United States Governments.
“We want to confirm again that the Pro-Yoruba Nation rally scheduled to hold on Saturday, July 3rd, in Lagos will proceed as scheduled.”
The Federal Government has commenced a phased development of grazing reserves across the country, beginning with three pilot locations in Gombe, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory, as part of a broader, inter-ministerial effort involving state governments and the private sector.
Speaking on the initiative, the Head of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu. “It’s a phased approach. We can’t take all of them at once. There are 417 grazing reserves, and we intend to cover all of them. Starting with a couple of them as pilots: Wawa-Zange (Gombe State), Wase (Plateau State), and Kawu in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory,” she stated.
According to her, work has already begun in the three pilot locations, with collaboration extending beyond the federal level. “These are the three that we’ve started working on, and we’re doing it in collaboration with the state government, as well as the private sector. So over the years, as we get more funding and improved partnerships, we will spread to the other grazing reserves. But these are like the model for how the others will look.” She explained that the development plan extends beyond livestock concerns and includes social infrastructure designed to improve living conditions for pastoral communities.
“So, it’s not just even the ministry, it’s an inter-ministerial activity, because we’re thinking of ensuring that these grazing reserves have good public schools for the pastoralists, for their children to attend. We’re trying to see that we have access roads. We’re trying to see that we have public healthcare,” Uchechukwu stated.
Housing and renewable energy are also part of the pilot projects, she said. “We’re trying to see that we have houses for the pastoralists to dwell in. We have signed a partnership for the solarisation of the Kawu grazing reserve in Abuja, and we’ll probably replicate it in the other grazing reserves that we’re working on. So, it’s a lot of money. The federal government will not bear the cost alone.”
Uchechukwu stressed that funding will be shared among multiple stakeholders to reduce the burden on the federal government. “We’re partnering with the state government and the private sector. So, I think as soon as we provide basic infrastructure in those grazing reserves, the private sector will be encouraged also to come in and pitch in terms of providing some structure to the abattoir and all of that.”
She noted that the cost of infrastructure development would be high. “If you’re thinking of constructing roads, healthcare facilities, schools, and housing units for these pastoralists, it will definitely run into millions of Naira. And other infrastructure too. Like the Kawu grazing reserve, we’re supposed to desilt.”
Fubara meets Tinubu in Aso Rock amid defection rumours
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, held a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday. Our correspondent sighted the governor walking towards the President’s office at 5:01 p.m., dressed in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and a black flat cap.
Minutes earlier, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, had been ushered in for a separate engagement. Details of both meetings remain undisclosed. Fubara’s visit comes amid speculation that he may defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress following political turbulence in Rivers State.
On December 5, 17 lawmakers loyal to former governor Nyesom Wike, led by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, defected from the PDP to the APC, shifting the legislature’s balance of power. The only three lawmakers considered loyal to Fubara have not resumed sitting since the six-month emergency rule was lifted on September 18, deepening uncertainty about his political future.
Months earlier, Fubara had been reinstated as governor following the end of the emergency rule imposed by President Tinubu on March 18. Nwifuru, an APC governor and former Speaker of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, has also engaged the Presidency on infrastructure and security coordination in the South-East.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, disclosed this at a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Monday. During a site inspection about two weeks ago, Fubara had said the Assembly complex along Moscow Road would be completed before the end of the year.
He said he intended to present the 2026 budget in the new complex, noting, “I strongly believe that before the end of December, this particular place should be set. Maybe when they come in, the other side of the complex will be handled by the Speaker himself. But this major work on the site, I will make sure it is ready for them, so that we will present our budget for 2026 in the main hallowed chambers, in the dignified manner that befits us.”
Anabraba reiterated that Fubara is committed to delivering democratic dividends to all citizens, assuring residents of safety and adherence to peace.
“From December 10 to 23, the projects to be commissioned and flagged off will cover Ahoada East and West, Ogba/E
The African Democratic Congress has asked the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to make up his mind about joining the party.
The party said that although Obi was an important political leader needed in its coalition, it would not compel the former Anambra State governor to join.
Obi had, during an interview on YouTube with ‘Advocacy for Good Governance’ on Wednesday, stated that the ADC-led coalition was unstable due to some unresolved issues, including the zoning arrangement.
The presidential hopeful said he believed in the coalition despite being a member of the Labour Party, urging the ADC to settle some “fundamentals” necessary for a credible alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite his reservations, Obi expressed confidence in the quality of leaders driving the group, including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
When asked if he would stand by the coalition even if he did not emerge as its presidential candidate, Obi said he was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire for national progress.
But the Peter Obi Media Office said Obi never granted the interview. His media aide, Ibrahim Umar, in a statement on Friday, said Obi had confidence in the ADC. However, the spokesperson for the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, while speaking, said the party was not ready to toe Obi’s line of zoning.
He said the priority of the party was to convince Nigerians that it was a credible alternative.
“We’re not talking about zoning or no zoning now. Nigerians are still waiting for us to tell them what we will do differently. So, zoning or no zoning is not on the table now. If that is the condition for Obi to join us, maybe he should wait till that time.
“I understand what Peter has been saying. But I will encourage him to make up his mind if he wants to be part of the coalition or not. Because the most important thing for us is how we can convince Nigerians that we represent the credible alternative, and this is without prejudice to where the candidate will come from,” he said.
The ADC spokesperson said the party wanted Obi and encouraged him to be part of the coalition.
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