Police Arrest Eight in Ogun Over Violent Yoruba Republic Protest

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested eight suspects over an alleged breach of public peace, unlawful assembly, obstruction of traffic, and assault on police officers in parts of Sango-Ota, Ogun State.

The arrests followed an incident on Christmas Day at Temidire Junction and the Under-Bridge area of Sango-Ota, where the suspects, operating under the banner of the “Democratic Republic of the Yoruba,” allegedly barricaded roads, set bonfires, disrupted traffic, and attacked police officers deployed to maintain law and order.

Confirming the development in a statement issued on Friday, being Boxing Day, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said police operatives swiftly mobilised to the affected locations after receiving reports of the disturbance and successfully dispersed the group.

The suspects were identified as Adewale Sosanya, 48; Opeyemi Oladotun, 31; Zara Gabriel, 22; Ajoke Gabriel, 19; Adewale Adebomojo, 48; Yusuf Tanimowo, 40; Olurotimi Ademola, 52; and Toyin Gabriel, 40.

Items recovered from the suspects included a Toyota vehicle allegedly used to convey them, two broadcast speakers, a carton containing flags and shirts bearing inscriptions related to their agitation, as well as banners displaying their messages and manifesto.

Babaseyi said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. He also conveyed the assurance of the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, that the command remains fully committed to protecting lives and property across the state.

According to him, the Commissioner warned that the police would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting public peace and stressed that assaults on police officers would be met with decisive action. He further urged residents to remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines, including the Gateway Shield toll-free line 0800 000 9111 and other emergency numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369, and 0708 497 2994.