Yoruba Nation Agitators Killed by Police in Lagos Were Unarmed: Banji Akintoye

Chairman of the Yoruba Self Determination Movement (YSDM), Banji Akintoye, has accused the police of killing two unarmed Yoruba Nation agitators on Monday.

Mr Akintoye, a professor of History, made the statement during a live session on YSDM YouTube channel shortly after the rally turned violent on Monday.

Mr Akintoye said that the protesters gathered in support of self-determination for the Yoruba Nation.

The professor alleged that “two young men have been killed as a result of the police fire. The young men were not running away; they are not afraid of the police.”

Speaking further, Mr Akintoye said the agitators came out for a peaceful rally without any weapons and they did not engage in any clash with the police.

He said police officers shot at the protesters when they arrived at the location of their planned rally.

The professor said police authorities are “breaking the law” and it is the civil right of agitators to gather, “just as it is the right of every nationality in the world.”

He urged Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to stop the lawlessness of police “under the authority of the state.”

“Young people were gathered in Lagos in support of self-determination for Yoruba Nation. Our methods have always been peaceful, peaceful rally, no weapons, no violence of any kind.

“Not regarding the police as enemies, not regarding any other official of the Nigerian state as enemies.

“Those are the conditions upon which the young men gathered this morning to carry out the rally, even before they had settled down as they were arriving at the center where they wanted to carry out the rally, the Nigeria police approached them and started shooting.”

Meanwhile, Benjamin Hundeyin, police spokesman for the Lagos command, said in a tweet on Monday that “miscreants masquerading as Yoruba Nation Agitators” shot police officers and destroyed two police vehicles.

The police spokesperson said the protesters were disrupting commercial activities at Ojota and police officers arrived at the location “to disperse” their unlawful gathering and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

“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 (RRS) 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,” Mr Hundeyin said.

Mr Hundeyin said that one person died during the rally while “two police officers shot by the miscreants are currently receiving treatment.”

He added that four suspects have been arrested and normalcy as been restored in the area.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

On July 3, 2021, police officers killed Jumoke Oyeleke after firing sporadically at demonstrators during a Yoruba Nation rally at the Ojota area of Lagos.