The Nigerian Presidency has read out the riot act to Yoruba Nation agitator and secessionist, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho, warning that "any attempts to build an armoury" or conduct acts of terror, won't be tolerated by Abuja.
Igboho's home was raided on Thursday, July 1, 2021, by the Department of State Services (DSS), just hours before a scheduled secessionist-themed mega rally in Lagos, Nigeria's most populous city and commercial capital.
An unspecified number of persons were killed during the raid and Igboho went into hiding afterwards.
The DSS claims that it unearthed a stockpile of guns and other weaponry inside the blood splattered property on the day.
“In furtherance of continued diligent work, the State Security Service on Thursday, 1st July raided the residence of a militant ethnic secessionist, who has also been conducting acts of terror and disturbing the peace under the guise of protecting fellow “kinsmen", President Buhari's spokesperson Garba Shehu, wrote in a statement.
The statement adds that "Igboho's seditious utterances and antics, which he is known to have publicly expressed, have overtime morphed into very hateful and vile laden speeches.
"It must be highlighted that the government respects fundamental rights of citizens to express their views and recognizes this as a democratic tenet.
"However, any attempt to build an armoury coupled with plans either subtle or expressed to undermine our unity as a nation will not be condoned.
“Mr. President’s directives to security services regarding anyone seen to be carrying arms, particularly AK-47 are clear and require no further illumination.
"Assault weapons are not tools of peace loving people and as such, regardless of who they are and where they are from, the security agencies should treat them all the same.
“The successes of our security agencies must be commended as they have demonstrated significant deftness, guile and secrecy in carrying out these missions.
"This level of professionalism must be sustained and brought to bear as we focus on extracting from our society those who have found a new trade in targeting students, rural dwellers and our citizens in the north-west.
"The nation recognizes their efforts and sacrifice.”
More than a dozen person were arrested during the raid and have been paraded by the DSS.
President Buhari, a retired army general, has repeatedly warned the nation's growing army of separatists that "he will treat them in a language they understand."