Sunday Igboho Alleges DSS Attempted Assassination During 2021 Raid

Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has once again recounted the traumatic events of July 1, 2021, when operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State. Speaking at the palace of the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the activist alleged that the security operatives had attempted to kill him during the invasion.

Igboho, who has become a prominent figure in the Yoruba self-determination movement, stated that he survived the raid only by divine intervention. According to him, operatives fired multiple shots at him during the incident, but he managed to escape unharmed.

“When my house was invaded, they wanted to kill me, but failed. Some said my intestines were shattered, others said my leg was broken, but there was nothing of such,” he told the monarch. “They fired guns at me very well, but the prayers of you, my fathers, on me were answered.”

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Background of the Raid

The July 2021 raid on Igboho’s Ibadan residence came after months of tension in the South-West, following his confrontation with Fulani herders accused of involvement in violent attacks and killings of farmers. Igboho had led several rallies demanding the establishment of a Yoruba Nation, citing the failure of Nigerian security agencies to protect Yoruba communities from persistent clashes with herdsmen.

In response, the federal government declared him wanted, accusing him of stockpiling weapons and inciting violence. On the night of the raid, DSS operatives stormed his residence, leading to violent clashes. While Igboho managed to escape, the incident left several of his aides dead, and many others were arrested and paraded by the authorities.

Flight to Benin Republic

Following the raid, Igboho went into hiding before attempting to flee Nigeria. In July 2021, he was arrested at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic, while trying to board a flight to Germany. His arrest sparked widespread protests among Yoruba Nation supporters and human rights activists, who accused the Nigerian government of persecuting him for defending his people.

Igboho subsequently faced legal proceedings in Benin Republic, where Nigerian authorities sought his extradition. However, with interventions from Yoruba leaders, lawyers, and political figures, he avoided deportation to Nigeria and was eventually released.

Allegations Against DSS

Igboho’s recent remarks revive the controversy surrounding the motives behind the DSS operation. While the DSS maintained that the raid was carried out to arrest him over alleged illegal possession of arms, the activist insists the real intention was to eliminate him.

His comments at the Olowo’s palace suggest that he views his survival as a result of divine grace and the spiritual support of traditional rulers and elders. “It was not my strength that saved me. It was the prayers of my fathers that God answered,” he told Oba Ogunoye.

Symbolism of Igboho’s Struggle

Sunday Igboho has become a symbolic figure in the South-West for his defiance against perceived injustice and insecurity. His confrontation with Fulani herders in Ibarapa, Oyo State, in January 2021, catapulted him into the national spotlight. Supporters hailed him as a defender of the Yoruba people, while critics accused him of stoking ethnic tension.

The invasion of his residence and subsequent flight from Nigeria intensified calls for restructuring and renewed debates about the right to self-determination. His ordeal has since been woven into the larger narrative of the Yoruba Nation agitation, with many of his followers insisting that he was unfairly targeted by the state for challenging the status quo.

Visit to the Olowo of Owo

Igboho’s appearance at the palace of Oba Ogunoye underscores his efforts to rebuild ties with Yoruba traditional institutions after years of exile and controversy. His acknowledgement of the monarch’s prayers reflects the deep cultural and spiritual dimensions of the Yoruba struggle, where traditional rulers are often seen as custodians of both political and spiritual authority.

The Olowo of Owo, known for his firm advocacy of peace and unity, has hosted several pro-Yoruba figures in the past. Although details of his response to Igboho’s remarks remain limited, the meeting is symbolic of Igboho’s gradual re-emergence into public life.

Broader Political Implications

Igboho’s allegations against the DSS may rekindle debates about the use of force against agitators and government critics in Nigeria. Human rights groups have repeatedly accused security agencies of heavy-handed tactics, citing the 2021 raid as an example of extrajudicial aggression.

Furthermore, with Nigeria facing heightened political and economic challenges, voices like Igboho’s could gain renewed attention, particularly as discussions about federalism, regional autonomy, and security reforms continue.

Analysts suggest that Igboho’s narrative of survival reinforces his image as a resilient figure, one who continues to draw support from Yoruba youths and activists disenchanted with Nigeria’s governance structure. However, his critics warn that framing his ordeal as an assassination attempt risks deepening ethnic mistrust at a time when national cohesion is fragile.

Sunday Igboho’s claim that DSS operatives attempted to assassinate him during the 2021 raid on his Ibadan residence adds a dramatic twist to an already contentious episode in Nigeria’s recent history. Whether seen as a defender of his people or a rebel challenging the state, Igboho remains a polarising figure whose story continues to resonate in the South-West.

As he re-engages with traditional rulers and reasserts his version of events, the Yoruba Nation agitator appears determined to remain a central voice in the ongoing struggle for self-determination. For his supporters, his survival is nothing short of divine providence; for his critics, it is yet another reminder of the complexities surrounding Nigeria’s security and unity.