Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has alleged that a trusted associate betrayed him during the July 2021 invasion of his Ibadan residence by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Igboho spoke during a visit to the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, in Ondo State, at the weekend.
Although he did mention the name of the friend, but he claimed the betrayal led to the killing of his cat in the raid, describing it as a direct attempt on his life.
“When my house was invaded (by DSS operatives), they wanted to kill me but failed. They fired guns at me very well, but the prayers of you my fathers on me were answered,” Adeyemo said.
According to him, the security operatives gained access to his home through his Personal Assistant, who was forced to show them his room.
He maintained that a close ally had earlier informed the DSS operatives about his cat.
“When I opened the door… they saw my cat on the bed. One of my friends that I entrusted with secret had told them not to let the cat go. So they killed the cat and wrapped it with clothes like a corpse,” he revealed.
The raid, which left two people dead and property destroyed, triggered condemnation from notable Nigerians, including Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, as well as several socio-political groups, who accused the government of abusing state power.
Recounting his ordeal, Igboho, who was later arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, while attempting to flee, appealed to the monarch to intervene on his behalf.
“Tinubu is your son, you can convince him to free me… I would have entered the bush and faced them [insecurity],” he pleaded.
In his remarks, Oba Ogunoye described Igboho as a symbol of hope for many Yoruba youths and urged him to continue to uphold the law while pressing his cause.