Masked men suspected to be Yoruba Nation Agitators on Saturday caused chaos at the Oyo Government Secretariat.
The armed men were seen at different points in the Secretariat, including the entrance to the Governor’s office gate, the House of Assembly Gate, and the main entrance, News About Nigeria reports.
The presence of these men created panic in the area, and security forces on duty were unable to control the situation.
To remedy the situation, the Police Command and other anti-crime agencies rushed to the Secretariat in patrol vans, along with operatives of the Oyo security network known as Amotekun.
A tense standoff ensued, with security forces engaging in a gun battle with the agitators and firing tear gas.
As a result, residents in the vicinity and motorists began to flee, causing traffic disruptions.
Road users diverted their routes, and the Secretariat-Queen Elizabeth Road was closed to traffic.
This publication learnt that efforts by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (retired), to calm the situation proved futile as the masked gunmen insisted on raising their flag in the Secretariat.
However, the arrival of military officers from the 2nd Division of the Army later changed the situation, causing some of the agitators to flee.
In response to the chaos, shop owners, businesses, and residents in Bodija, Ikolaba, and along Awolowo route quickly closed their establishments and homes for safety.
As of now, it remains unconfirmed whether any arrests have been made, as security operatives work to restore normalcy to the area. Additionally, the identity of the masked men remains unknown.
