The Department of State Services has claimed that its operatives did not make an attempt to arrest Yoruba rights activist, Sunday Adeyemo , popularly known as Sunday Igboho, on Friday.
The denial is coming a few hours after reports that a joint team of policemen and the Department of State Services attempted to arrest Sunday Igboho along Lagos -Ibadan Expressway.
DSS made the denial in a statement by its Public Relations Officer , National Headquarters, Abuja , Dr Peter Afunanya, titled , ‘ DSS did not attempt to arrest Sunday Igboho’ .
In a viral video , Igboho , who was not putting on any top , had dared security operatives to “ do their worst ” before they drove off .
However, DSS in the terse statement did not give details of security operatives ’ encounter with Sunday Igboho on the Lagos -Ibadan Expressway.
“ The Department of State Services wishes to refute the news that it attempted to arrest one Sunday Igboho , today, at Ibadan, Oyo State . The said news is misinforming and should be taken as fake and therefore be disregarded, ” the statement read .
A former Minister of Aviation , Chief Femi Fani -Kayode , had earlier issued a statement that Igboho was on his way to meet with 93- year -old Afenifere Chieftain , Ayo Adebanjo , when the incident occurred.
The statement read in part, “ I just spoke to my brother Sunday Igboho . He told me there was a violent attempt to arrest him this afternoon by a joint team of soldiers , DSS operatives and policemen numbering about 40 on the Ibadan/Lagos Expressway whilst he was on his way to see Baba Ayo Adebanjo in Lagos
“ I condemn this attempt to ambush and abduct him . It is not only reckless but also very dangerous . If the security agencies want to see him all they need to do is to invite him to their office . I am not aware of any crime that he has committed and I urge restraint on all sides.
“ Let me also send a warning to the Federal Government that Sunday Igboho is a hero to millions of Yoruba and either killing him or detaining him unlawfully would be the biggest mistake they could make. Building bridges , dialogue, and the pursuit of peace is better than intimidation , threats , violence and war . A word is enough for the wise . ”
