The Department of State Services has claimed that its operatives did not make an attempt to arrest Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Friday.
The denial is coming a few hours after reports that a joint team of policemen and the Department of State Services attempted to arrest Sunday Igboho along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
DSS made the denial in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, National Headquarters, Abuja, Dr Peter Afunanya, titled, ‘DSS did not attempt to arrest Sunday Igboho’.
In a viral video, Igboho, who was not putting on any top, had dared security operatives to “do their worst” before they drove off.
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However, DSS in the terse statement did not give details of security operatives’ encounter with Sunday Igboho on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“The Department of State Services wishes to refute the news that it attempted to arrest one Sunday Igboho, today, at Ibadan, Oyo State. The said news is misinforming and should be taken as fake and therefore be disregarded,” the statement read.
A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, had earlier issued a statement that Igboho was on his way to meet with 93-year-old Afenifere Chieftain, Ayo Adebanjo, when the incident occurred.
The statement read in part, “I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho. He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers, DSS operatives and policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos.
“I condemn this attempt to ambush and abduct him. It is not only reckless but also very dangerous. If the security agencies want to see him all they need to do is to invite him to their office. I am not aware of any crime that he has committed and I urge restraint on all sides.
“Let me also send a warning to the Federal Government that Sunday Igboho is a hero to millions of Yoruba and either killing him or detaining him unlawfully would be the biggest mistake they could make. Building bridges, dialogue, and the pursuit of peace is better than intimidation, threats, violence and war. A word is enough for the wise.”
