The police yesterday launched a manhunt for Mrs. Dupe Onitiri-Abiola, a suspected sponsor of the invasion of the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Ibadan by some Yoruba Nation agitators.

The manhunt for Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola, a widow of the business mogul and prominent politician, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, followed her broadcast in a viral video in which she claimed responsibility for the violence that jolted the governments of the six Southwest states.

Bashorun Abiola won the 1993 Presidential election but was denied the joy of victory by the military junta.

He proclaimed himself president and was put behind bars. He died in custody in 1998.

The agitators on Saturday morning, wielding guns and other weapons, many of them wearing military camouflage, invaded the Oyo State House of Assembly complex located inside the secretariat and hoisted their flag.

They also attempted to breach the security of the governor’s office, before they were repelled by security operatives.

No fewer than 21 of the agitators were rounded up.

Yesterday, those arrested were paraded by the police with the arms, ammunition, camouflage and other items recovered from them.

Oyo State Police Commissioner, Adebola Hamzat, who paraded the 21 suspects, described the invasion as a criminal, unpatriotic and a clear case of treasonable felony and terrorism, which would be meted with adequate sanctions.

Although he did not mention the name of Mrs Onitiri-Abiola, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Security Matters Mr. Fatai Owoseni said he was aware that she is leading a group of Yoruba Nation agitators.

Prof. Banji Akintoye, who is the leader of another Yoruba group along with Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho), in a statement on Saturday in which he dissociated his group from the action, alluded to the group as the one led by Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola.

Thereafter, a viral video by Mrs. Onitiri-Abiola claiming leadership of the group surfaced on social media.

Explaining how it happened on Saturday, the police chief said: “At about 8:55 a.m., information was received that some men, dressed in military-like camouflage and armed with pump action semi-automatic rifles, were sighted on motorcycles around Olomi and moving into Ibadan.

“At about 9:15 a.m., the hoodlums, later known as Yoruba Nation Agitation Group, were trailed to the State Secretariat and the premises of the Governor’s Office.

“They hoisted their flag at the House of Assembly, proclaiming the creation of a ‘Democratic Republic of the Yoruba’.

“With police reinforcement, the miscreants were warned to disperse. The agitators turned violent and opened fire on the police and a detachment of Amotekun Corps present.”

The commissioner said the police responded and were joined by operatives of other security agencies who suppressed the treason.

He also said that five pump action semi-automatic rifles, two wooden double barrel guns and other exhibits were recovered from the agitators.

Also recovered were two jackets, 30 pieces of torch lights, 49 bells, five horse whips, seven pieces of walkie-talkies and accessories, four generators, 72 pairs of camouflage uniforms and 405 live cartridges.

He said the continued existence of Nigeria as a sovereign, indivisible entity is a task that must be accomplished, adding that “the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain”.

He said Oyo State Police Command would be unrelenting in ensuring the unity of the country.

Hamzat said: “As a parent, I enjoin other parents, guardians and leaders in every sphere of political, religious and socio-economic influence to prevail on their children, ward, protégés and followers against being used by unpatriotic individuals to promote anarchy in the state and by extension, the nation.

“Oyo State is home to many responsible, hospitable and extremely intelligent individuals who pride themselves with creativity, hard work and resourcefulness.

“Under my watch, it would not be reduced to a playground for the criminally minded and obviously misguided individuals or groups who intend to make their livelihood from distorting the relative tranquillity enjoyed by the good people of the state.”

The commissioner said the arrested suspects have been listing the names of their sponsors, adding that the police had visited some locations within Oyo State where some incriminating items were recovered.

Hamzat recalled that a member of the Amotekun Corps was injured during the invasion and one of the agitators who resisted arrest got injured in a gun duel with the police.

He clarified that police were not aware of any death during the incident.