By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

A South-west socio-political group, the Agbekoya Society of Nigeria, has condemned the invasion and hijack of a radio station in Ibadan by Yoruba separatist group on Sunday.

Agbekoya, a parental of Agbekoya Farmers Association, dissociated itself from the attacks in a statement on Monday by its Secretary General, Dr Adegbenro Ogunlana in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the suspected members of Oodua Nation agitators, on Sunday invaded the premises of Amuludun 99.1 FM in Moniya, a community radio of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) at 6.00 a.m.

About 20 agitators carrying various charms reportedly and forcefully entered the station and seized control of the live studio while a sponsored programme was in progress and proceeded to broadcast their own programme.

Some claims the agitators made in their broadcast included “Oodua Nation has come to stay,” “Yoruba people are no longer under the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” and “The United Nations will soon recognise Oodua Nation.”

Reacting to the ugly incident, Ogunlana said the criminal gangs were funded and sponsored by unscrupulous politicians to demonise the integrity of the Yoruba.

He said: “the attacks on Radio Nigeria facilities within this period are not supported by Agbekoya, because that will not add any positive value to the struggle of the Yoruba race.”

According to him, the Governor of the society in Oyo State, Chief Ahmen Bankole, equally condemned the invasion of the radio station.

He reported Bankole as describing the action of the invaders as lawless and profoundly criminal.

“We have no relationship whatsoever with the group that has repeatedly engaged in crime and we have no hands in their criminal conduct,” Bankole was quoted as saying.

NAN reports that five of the agitators were arrested by security agents and paraded by the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday. (NAN)

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