BREAKING: Protest Rocks Ibadan As Farmers Union, Agbekoya Demands Igboho’s Release From Detention

Members of the Agbekoya Solidarity Movement of Nigeria, which represents farmers in Ibadan, Oyo State, have taken to the streets to demand that Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, be released immediately.

The protestors launched the rally from Mapo Hall in Ibadan, brandishing placards boldly demanding the release of Igboho who they claimed was fighting for their rights, according to a video posted by BBC Pidgin.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Back to the 1960 national constitution”, “Free free free Chief Sunday Adeyemo Igboho. He is not a criminal”, and “Agricultural revolution and safety for farmers now”.

Igboho and his wife were captured by security personnel in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on July 19 after fleeing Nigeria to avoid arrest by Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS).

The DSS had designated Igboho sought after its operatives carried out a deadly raid on his home in Ibadan’s Soka neighborhood, killing two persons and capturing 12 aides, but Igboho managed to flee.

Before being arrested in Benin Republic while attempting to fly to Germany, DSS Public Relations Officer Peter Afunnaya asked Igboho to give himself in.

Igboho’s wife, on the other hand, has been released from police custody, while he remains detained in the West African country.

Igboho’s release has been increasingly demanded recently.

Toyin Dawodu, a Nigerian-American philanthropist, has urged the Benin Republic authorities to free Igboho immediately.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Dawodu warned that the Beninese government must assure the activist’s proper release within seven days or face “severe consequences of the nature of an economic embargo from which the country may never recover in a very long time.”

The donor predicted that the continued detention of Igboho, a beloved Yoruba figure, will enrage the people who had contributed 80 percent of the country’s money over the last 60 years.

He claims that this will harm the neighboring West African country’s economy.

Igboho’s lawyer, Yomi Alliyu, requested with the government of Benin Republic a few weeks ago to release the activist quickly so that he may receive urgent medical treatment abroad.

Igboho’s spokeswoman, Olayomi Koiki, also stated that his principal required immediate medical attention.