Despite the crackdown on the base of popular Yoruba Nation secessionist Sunday Igboho, his followers have vowed to hold the proposed rally in Lagos state.
In a quick response to Sunday Igboho and his supporters, the Lagos State Police announced that there would be no rally in the state. However, the agitators promised to defile the Lagos State Government's order.
On Saturday, popular places in Lagos like the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota were heavily guarded by the Nigerian security operatives, which compound the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Army. In addition, members of DSS could also be found around the park.
According to a report by Punch, no single Yoruba Nation agitator could be found at the Park at about 9:19 am. Recall that few hours after the raid on Igboho’s base, Mr Igboho declared on BBC Pidgin that the rally has been cancelled.
Despite the announcement, a Yoruba group, Ilana Omo Oodua, under the leadership of Banji Akintoye, said they "refuse to be intimidated" by the Lagos State Police, promising that the rally would be peaceful. However, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who insisted on maintaining law and order in Lagos, was seen at the park watching out for any form of violence. The question remains if the Government would let the rally hold even if it’s a peaceful one as promised.