‘Focus On Terrorists’ – Nigerians React To Sunday Igboho Arrest Attempt
Angry Nigerians think the government should focus on terrorists and leave the self-acclaimed activist alone.
Nigerians have condemned the attempted arrest of Sunday Adeyemo, an ethnic jingoist, popularly known as Sunday Igboho on Friday.
There was confusion on Friday when operatives of the Nigeria Police and the men of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to arrest Igboho along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
A viral video by Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation and Igboho’s ally, shows a shirtless Igboho with his men daring and throwing jabs at the security operatives.
Igboho drew national attention recently for issuing a quit notice to Fulani cattle herders in Southwest Nigeria over allegations of kidnappings and killings.
His action was condemned by many as it was an unlawful act.
Nigerians React
Following his attempted arrest on Friday, Nigerians rallied against what they perceived as a deliberate attempt by the government to clamp down on Igboho when it should be doubling its efforts against terrorist attacks and abductions.
Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí, a social commentator, tweeted, “This guy right now is the least of your problems. Not even a Sunday Igboho Fan.”
“All efforts should be directed inside the Forests occupied by TERRORISTS, the one wrongfully tagged as BANDITS. Terrorists with enough amo to wage a war against multiple States in Nigeria.”
Dípò Awójíde, a UK-based lecturer and social media influencer, also echoed Ogundamisi’s sentiment.
“Sunday Igboho is the least of the problems the Federal Government of Nigeria should be dealing with right now,” Awójíde said on Twitter.
Somto Okonkwo, @General_Somto, tweeted: “While Terrorists Were Busy Kidnapping Over 300 Students In Zamfara, A Joint Team Of DSS, Soldiers And Police Tried To Arrest Sunday Igboho This Afternoon. Yet, Sheikh Gumi Is Working Around Freely Negotiating With Terrorists And Killer Fulani Herdsmen. Welcome To One Nigeria!”
Reno Omokri, a former presidential aide, warned that harassing Igboho might set off another insurrection similar to the Boko Haram insurgency that surfaced due to Mohammed Yusuf, the insurgent group’s leader being killed by security agents in 2009.
“The reason the government lost control of the Boko Haram situation is because they killed Mohammed Yusuf, the only man able to call Boko Haram to order. If @MBuhari kills Sunday Igboho, who will control his boys? The solution will become worse than the problem!” Omokri tweeted.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has consistently come under fire for his handling of security situations in the country.
Earlier on Friday, heavily armed terrorists stormed Government Girls Secondary School in Jangebe Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State and whisked away 317 schoolgirls to an unknown destination.
The attack was the latest in a rising wave of mass abductions and attacks that have bedevilled the country.
The abduction came barely two weeks after about 42 people were abducted in Niger State, Northcentral Nigeria, by the terrorists. They are yet to be released.
Support Our Journalism
There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.
To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.
Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.
Donate Here
