Sunday Igboho Released from Detention in Benin, Plans to Return to Nigeria

Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been set free by the authorities in the Benin Republic.

The embattled activist, who had been facing legal proceedings, recently revealed that he is now legally able to leave Cotonou, the capital of Benin Republic, and travel to Nigeria and other countries.

In a statement, Sunday Igboho wrote, “I am now free to return to Nigeria and visit any country in the world. I have fulfilled all the legal conditions attached to my bail a few years back, and I am coming home to Nigeria, my country of origin, any moment from now.”

He further added, “I can confirm to you that I am now free to come back to Nigeria. There is no legal encumbrance again. Even though I have been living in Cotonou for some time, I can confirm to you categorically that I have now secured the liberty to leave Cotonou for Nigeria.”

What you need to know

Sunday Igboho had been entangled in legal proceedings for two years in the Benin Republic.

His legal troubles began when he declared the sovereignty of the Yoruba Nation in March 2021.

Igboho reportedly initiated a campaign to expel killer herdsmen and kidnappers from the Southwestern states. He also called on Yoruba people residing in areas predominantly occupied by Hausa/Fulani or Igbo communities to return to their homeland.

He reportedly fled Nigeria following a late-night raid on his Ibadan residence by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). The raid resulted in at least one fatality, and some of his property was vandalised.

Igboho was subsequently apprehended at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport in Cotonou, Benin Republic while attempting to flee to Germany.

All efforts by former President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to repatriate him to Nigeria yielded no result.