By Adeola Badru

Residents of Ayegun Oleyo, Ibadan, confronted men believed to be police officers attempting to arrest traditional faith advocate, Tani Olohun, on Tuesday, with Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, later stepping in as the standoff unfolded.

The incident reportedly occurred at Tani Olohun’s residence in the Ayegun Oleyo area of Ibadan, where the men arrived in the early hours of Tuesday and attempted to take him away.

The attempted arrest reportedly triggered tension in the neighbourhood as residents resisted the move and raised the alarm over the presence of armed men.

Igboho, reacting to the incident, said he was contacted around midnight by distressed neighbours of Tani Olohun, who reported an alleged attempt by unidentified armed men to abduct him.

“The distressed neighbours of Tani Olohun in Ayegun Oleyo contacted us in the midnight about the attempt by some unidentified armed men, who allegedly came from Ilorin, Kwara State, to abduct him,” Igboho said.

He said he moved to the area with his people to ascertain what was happening, alleging that Tani Olohun was found unconscious after being assaulted.

“I had to move there with my people to ascertain what was happening only to discover Tani Olohun lying unconscious on the ground after being beaten to a stupor,” he alleged.

Igboho further alleged that another woman in the neighbourhood who had recently undergone a caesarean section was also attacked during the incident.

“Another woman who recently had a cesarean operation was also attacked,” he said.

He also claimed that the armed men blocked the access road leading to the area during the alleged operation, restricting movement in the neighbourhood.

“The armed men blocked access road, but we were able to rescue Tani Olohun and restore peace in the community,” Igboho said.

Videos from the scene reportedly showed men dressed in civilian clothes and carrying firearms attempting to take Tani Olohun away, while residents challenged them over the arrest.

In one of the videos, Tani Olohun was seen involved in a struggle with one of the men.

The residents reportedly questioned the identity of the men, with one of them said to have displayed an identity card after being challenged.

The vehicle allegedly used by the men was also said to have had no number plate.

Igboho was later seen in a video speaking with an alleged senior official on the telephone as the confrontation continued.

He reportedly told the official that the neighbourhood had been blocked and that four officers were at the scene.

Igboho subsequently handed the telephone to one of the men at the request of the official.

Tani Olohun was later seen after the confrontation, appearing to have sustained injuries and wearing torn clothes.

He reportedly expressed appreciation to those who intervened, including Igboho, the Oyo and Kwara State Commissioners of Police, the Olubadan and Governor Seyi Makinde.

The circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest, including the reason for the operation and whether the men had a valid warrant or other legal authority to arrest Tani Olohun, remained unclear as of press time.

The Oyo State Police Command was yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

When contacted, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed awareness of the attempted arrest but declined to provide details.

“I don’t have a comment. A press release is coming soon,” he said.

The incident has generated concerns in the community, particularly over the alleged use of force and the presence of armed men during the attempted arrest.

Tani Olohun is an advocate of Isese, the indigenous Yoruba faith, and has been involved in advocacy for the preservation of Yoruba traditional religion and cultural practices.

The post Igboho, residents confront police, prevent arrest of Tani Olohun in Ibadan appeared first on Vanguard News.