Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, was said to have initially escaped arrest at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic before his eventual arrest. Not only that, he was also said to have beaten some security officials to their jobs before his eventual arrest.
Recall that Sunday Igboho was arrested by the security forces in Benin Republic, Cotonou at an airport around 8pm on Monday, 19th July. His arrest is coming about three weeks after the Department of State Services DSS declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms, an allegation he has since denied.
Giving some information about his arrest, The PUNCH reported that a top security source told its correspondent that Sunday Igboho and his wife, Ropo, first escaped arrest, beating the security officials to it, but a travel agent was used to lure them back to the airport. “He (Igboho) was arrested in Cotonou on Monday night while he tried to travel. He was already at the airport with a passport “, the source reportedly said.
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“The immigration officers suspected the passport and so they stopped him. In the process, they discovered he was the one. He was able to escape in the course of discussion and we were grateful to God for that. But the travel agent called back saying the matter had been resolved. But on going back, he was arrested. He was trying to travel to Germany when he was apprehended”, the source reportedly added.
The media added that another security source present in Cotonou told its correspondent that Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), was instrumental in the arrest of Sunday Igboho and his wife. The source reportedly confided in the media that the former Chief of Army Staff, Burtatai, wrote the government of the small West African country bordering Nigeria on the West through the Nigerian Embassy, to be on the lookout for Igboho, and insisted on his arrest and extradition.
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Another a top source familiar with the matter, reportedly said the Nigerian government foresaw the possibility of Igboho flying to Europe through Benin Republic and planted a landmine for him there through Buratai. “After Sunday Igboho was eventually arrested, a lot of people made effort to resolve the matter but we discovered that the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic (Tukur Buratai) was already aware and he said that he (Igboho) must be extradited”, the source reportedly said.
Another security source present in Benin Republic also reportedly told The PUNCH that the International Criminal Police Organisation, at the behest of the Nigerian Government, arrested Igboho and his wife at the airport saying the activist was a ‘wanted man’. “Interpol at the airport came and arrested him saying he was wanted in Nigeria. He was together with his wife.”, the source reportedly said.
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When asked whether the ex-COAS and current Nigerian envoy in Benin Republic was aware of the development, the source reportedly said, “Of course, he (Buratai) knew about the case. On July 7, 2021, the Nigerian Government through the Ambassador sent a secret letter to Nigerian Embassy, Nigerian Embassy sent a letter to Ministry of External Affairs in Benin Republic, External Affairs sent to Internal Affairs, Internal Affairs sent to police to arrest Sunday Igboho”.
The source reportedly added said Igboho and his wife had been detained in Benin Republic Criminal Police cell and Buratai should have gone to the police station because he was the one that told them to arrest him, adding that though the German Embassy was intervening in the matter because Igboho’s wife is a German citizen, the Nigerian Government could have its way and extradite Igboho today (Wednesday).
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“I was told they are coming tomorrow. My prayer is that he should remain in Cotonou or be allowed to go to Germany because I don’t know what would happen to him in Abuja”, The PUNCH reported the source said.
TRENDING VIDEO OF THE DAY: See Igboho’s House After It Was Invaded By Gunmen Photos Credit: Getty
