Panic As Masked Men Storm Oyo Gov’t Secretariat

Masked men suspected to be Yoruba Nation agitators, on Saturday morning, stormed the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi area of Ibadan, planning to take over the State House of Assembly complex.

The men, it was gathered, wearing Army camouflage and armed with rifles, were stationed at strategic points in the Secretariat.

While some were said to have manned the entrance to the Governor’s office gate, others were seen at the entrance to the State House of Assembly and others at the main entrance, among other locations.

The development had sent panic waves across the entire area as security operatives on duty at the Secretariat were said to have been taken awares.

They were, however, able to repel the unknown gunmen.

The identities of the masked men could not be clearly ascertained as at the time of this report.

Men of the Oyo State Police Command and other security agencies stormed the entrance to the Secretariat in numerous patrol vans.

The situation, it was gathered, was almost turning chaotic as security operatives engaged in gun duel with the agitators.

Motorists plying the route were said to have been making a detour as many other road users scampered for safety. Road users along Secretariat road were diverted along Customs Junction as the Secretariat-Queen Elizabeth Road has been cut off traffic.

It was gathered that the efforts of the executive assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (retired), to calm the situation upon sighting of the masked men, were futile initially as they insisted on hoisting their flag in the Secretariat.

However, the arrival of the military officers from the Nigeria Army 2 Division Ibadan, about an hour later, was said to have changed the narrative as they stormed the vicinity with some of the agitators at the entrance gate taking to their heels.

The stern-looking officers were said to have gone after the masked agitators.

The main entrance of the state secretariat was shut, as
shop owners, business and residents around Bodija, Ikolaba, enroute Awolowo Raod were said to have quickly locked up their shops and doors as some who were about opening for the day’s business turned back.

It could not be confirmed if any arrest has been made so far as at the time of this report as the military and security operatives were trying to restore normalcy.