Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho detained in Benin Republic freed

Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Ighoho, who had been in detention in Republic of Benin has been released by the Beninois Government.

This was announced in a statement issued by Maxwell Adeleye, the spokesman of the Yoruba self-determination group, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, on Monday.

The statement stated that Ighoho was released to Yoruba leader, Banji Akintoye and French language expert, Professor Wale Adeniran, by the Benin Republic Government.

It read in part: “Yoruba Nation Activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, fondly called Sunday Ighoho, has been released by the Government of Republic of Benin.

“The Activist was released on Monday to a Yoruba Leader and Leader of the Umbrella body of Yoruba Self-determination Groups, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Banji Akintoye and a French Language Expert/ Deputy Alana of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Professor Wale Adeniran.

“Akintoye described the release of Ighoho as a triumph of truth over darkness in Yorubaland.”

Igboho, escaped from his Ibadan residence July 1, 2021, following a raid by the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS). He was, however, arrested in Benin Republic on his way to Germany, on July 19, 2021, together with his wife, Ropo. His wife was later released.

READ: Igboho files $1m suit against Benin Republic

During the bloody raid on Igboho’s Sooka residence, the DSS arrested and detained 13 of the activist’s associates.

Two of his supporters, identified as Adogan and Alfa, lost their lives during the raid.

DSS also presented seven AK-47 rifles allegedly recovered during the raid on Igboho’s house on July 1, as well as three pump-action guns, 30 fully charged AK-47 magazines, 5,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five cutlasses, one jack-knife, one pen knife, two pistol holsters, a pair of binoculars, a wallet containing $5, local and international driving licences in his name, ATM cards, a German residence permit No. YO2N6K1NY bearing his name, two whistles, 50 cartridges and 18 walkie-talkies.

Others were three charm jackets/traditional body armour, two laptops, one Toshiba and one Compaq laptop, Igboho’s passport and those of his aides.

However, the aides were later released after a court injunction.

RELIABLESOURCENG.COM reports that an Oyo State High Court also awarded N20 billion in damages in the activist’s favour. The court also restrained the DSS and Attorney General of the Federation from arresting Igboho.