The State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria’s secret police, says it attacked Yoruba separatist leader Sunday Igboho’s Ibadan residence, killed two people, and arrested others because Mr Igboho is planning a “violent insurrection against Nigeria.”

The SSS arrested 13 people when it raided the residence. Its spokesman Peter Afunanya disclosed this at a media briefing on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Afunanya said the operation was based on an intelligence report that Mr Igboho had stockpiled arms in his residence, and on approaching the residence, the SSS operatives team came under heavy gun attack by nine men suspected to be Mr Igboho’s guards.

“In the course of the exchange, two of Igboho’s armed men were gunned down while the rest were subdued and arrested. Only one DSS operative, who was shot by the assailants on his right hand, sustained injury. He has, however, received medical attention and is very stable,” said the SSS.

Mr Afunanya added that the SSS seized “seven AK-47s, three pump-action guns, 30 fully charged AK-47 magazines, 5,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and five cutlasses” from Igboho’s home.

The SSS also seized a “jackknife, one pen knife, two pistol holsters, one binoculars, a wallet containing $5 in one-dollar denomination, local and international driver’s licences in Mr Igboho’s name.

Mr Afunanya also revealed that ATM cards, a German residence permit (YO2N6K1NY) bearing the separatist leader’s name, “two whistles, 50 cartridges, 18 walkie-talkies, three charm jackets/traditional body armour, two laptops and his travel passport” were also seized.

He said the briefing was to inform Nigerians and the world that Mr Igboho and his group’s campaign for self-determination was a ploy to stockpile arms and undermine public order.

The SSS pointed out that the violent invasion of Mr Igboho’s home confirmed a “grand plan by Igboho and his cohorts to wage a violent insurrection against the Nigerian state.”

(NAN)