DSS arrests leader of pro-MKO Abiola rally in Oyo state

DSS arrests leader of pro-MKO Abiola rally in Oyo state

- The DSS has arrested leaders of the Yorub Summit Group during a peaceful rally organised in Ibadan, Oyo state

- The group is an amalgamation of all Yoruba socio-cultural and self determination groups

- The peaceful demonstration was brought to an abrupt end due to the failure of the organizing committee to secure a letter of permit

The June 12 celebration, Wednesday, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, turned sour as officials of the Department of State Security, DSS, arrested Dr. Kunle Hamzat and four others during a peaceful rally organised by members of the Yoruba Summit Group (an amalgamation of all Yoruba socio-cultural and self determination groups).

Third Eye reports that the peaceful demonstration organised by all socio-cultural groups with the theme: The future and Status of Yoruba in Nigerian Federation, was brought to an abrupt end due to the failure of the organizing committee to secure a letter of permit from the appropriate government quarters.

Dr. Hamzat was arrested around 8:00 in front of the Government House, Agodi Ibadan, where the rally was billed to take off, after which Comrade Akeem Lawal, chairman, committee for defence of human rights, alongside two other activists were arrested on the same spot.

As at the time of filing this report, the DSS was yet to comment on the development.

Following the arrests, the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, said it was aware of the protests across the state capitals in the south-west.

Speaking on behalf of the council, Dr Kunle Olajide said protests of that nature were constitutional if they did not breach the law of the land.

His words: “Why should they be arrested? I’m aware that the protests against continued insecurity in the south-west would take place in all the state capitals in the zone. It was organised some Yoruba groups.

“The protest was legitimate and constitutional except they breached any known law. I have not heard about their arrests. I will get in touch with the leader of the group.”

Meanwhile, the president of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Almustapha Asuku Abdullahi has stated that the celebration of June 12 carries a huge significance for Nigerian youths and older Nigerians.

The NYCN president made the comment on Wednesday, June 12, while addressing journalists in Abuja the Nigerian capital.

He equally expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the change of date and celebration, saying that, “the president yielded to the yearnings of the Nigerian people through the signing of the bill making June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria.”