There was pandemonium at Ojota, Lagos State, early Monday, January 9, when Yoruba nation’s agitators and members of the Nigerian Police, Lagos State command clashed.
According to eye witnesses, the scuttle started when Yoruba nation’s agitators gathered for self determination awareness rally at the Gani Fewehinmi Park, Ojota, but the move was resisted by the police resulting exchange of gunshots. Three people were initially reported to have died from the crisis.
Another version has it that the early morning crisis was between Yoruba nation’s agitators and some members of Oodua People’s Congress(OPC).
Police confirm one death
Speaking on the crisis, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos State Police Public relations officer confirmed the death of one person.
He said: “In the early hours of today, miscreants masquerading as Yoruba Nation agitators came out in their hundreds, disrupting social and commercial activities at Ojota area of the State.
“A team of police officers, comprising Alausa Division and the Raid Respond Squad promptly stepped in to disperse the unlawful gathering and prevent a breakdown of law and order. The miscreants attacked the police, shooting, and destroyed two vehicles in the process.
“One person has been confirmed dead, while two police officers shot by the miscreants are currently receiving treatment. Four suspects have been arrested and investigations have commenced.
“Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored to the area. Lagosians are urged to go about their lawful businesses as measures have been put in place to prevent further breakdown of law and order; and keen monitoring of the situation continues.
“It is imperative to state unequivocally that the Lagos State Police Command will not allow any person or group of persons, under whatever guise, disrupt the peace currently enjoyed in the State,” the PPRO said in a statement on Twitter.
OPC not involved in Ojota unrest – Gani Adams
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams, has dismissed as untrue reports that members of the Oodua Peoples Congress were involved in the crisis that erupted in Ojota, Lagos, on Monday.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, Adams said the Ojota rally came as a surprise, adding that none of his members were part of the crisis.
“Let me clear the air on the crisis that had engulfed Ojota this morning. There were unconfirmed reports linking members of the OPC to the mayhem. I want to state it clearly that none of our members were at the scene of the incident.
“The OPC is not against the liberation of the Yoruba race, however, it is a fact that the struggle for the liberation of the Yoruba race is an inalienable right of all the Yorubas to champion self-determination. We are not part of the peaceful rally held in Ojota.
“Our position on regionalism is very clear. It is sacrosanct because that is what we are seeking at the moment. Nigeria should be restructured to full regional autonomy, where each region will be at liberty to operate at their own pace.
“It is unfortunate that the report was done in bad faith to discredit our organisation.So members of the public should not be deceived by unconfirmed reports.
“Information at my disposal from the visual contents of happenings in Ojota indicated a peaceful rally that later went awry, leaving in its wake a bitter experience that led to the death of one of the Yoruba nation agitators.
“It is unfortunate that such a crisis could lead to such fracas that eventually claimed one life,” he said.
