Police launch manhunt for Abiola’s widow

Police authorities in Oyo State have initiated a manhunt for late Chief Moshood Abiola’s widow Mrs. Dupe Onitiri-Abiola, suspected to be a sponsor of the recent invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan by Yoruba Nation agitators.

The hunt for Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola, a renowned business mogul and politician, was prompted by the emergence of a viral video where she claimed responsibility for the violence that occurred on Saturday, April 13.

Clad in military camouflage, armed agitators stormed the Oyo State House of Assembly complex within the secretariat premises, raising their flag.

They attempted to breach the security perimeter of the governor’s office but were repelled by security operatives.

Subsequently, 21 individuals believed to be involved in the invasion were apprehended and paraded by the police on Monday, April 15. The police recovered arms, ammunition, camouflage, and other incriminating items from the suspects.

Addressing the media, Oyo State Police Commissioner, Adebola Hamzat, condemned the invasion as a criminal and unpatriotic act, describing it as treasonable felony and terrorism deserving of severe punishment. While he did not explicitly mention Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola, Oyo State Governor’s Special Adviser on Security Matters, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, acknowledged her alleged leadership role in the separatist movement, stressing the importance of security reform and youth engagement to prevent similar incidents.

In a statement, Prof. Banji Akintoye, leader of another Yoruba group alongside Sunday “Igboho” Adeyemo, distanced his group from the invasion, implicating Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola’s faction instead.

This assertion was reinforced by a viral video purportedly featuring Abiola’s widow asserting her leadership of the group.

Commissioner Hamzat disclosed that the arrested suspects have been cooperating with authorities, disclosing the identities of their sponsors. Police investigations have led to the recovery of incriminating materials from various locations within Oyo State.