Yoruba Nation Freedom fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic by security operatives in the West African country.

Igboho was arrested by the security forces in Benin Republic about three weeks after the Department of State Services (DSS) declared him wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms, an allegation he has since denied.

He was reportedly arrested on Monday night after fleeing Nigeria to evade arrest by Nigeria’s secret police.

A source privy to his departure from Nigeria said he had perfected plans to secretly escape from Nigeria through Cotonou and was heading to Germany.

He was, however, nabbed by security operatives in the neighboring country.

A source privy to the incident, said said to SR that, “Sunday Igboho has been arrested in Cotonou. He was arrested about an hour ago.

“He was supposed to travel to Germany through Cotonou this night. He wanted to leave Africa through Cotonou. He was arrested by security operatives in Cotonou.

“They are planning to bring him back to Nigeria.”

Recall that the Department of State Services had declared Igboho wanted after its operatives carried out a bloody midnight raid on his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The Federal Government of Nigeria had placed the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Customs Service on alert to stop Igboho from leaving the country.

DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunnaya, had advised Igboho to turn himself in to the nearest security.

Afunanya, at a briefing on July 1, 2021, had vowed that “Igboho may run as far as he can. He may hide as long as he wants…But this will be the end of his shenanigans.”

“Those cheering and eulogizing him may appeal to or advice him to do the needful,” Afunnaya said. “He should surrender himself to the appropriate authorities. He or anyone can never be above the law.”

Pelumi Olajengbesi, one of the lawyers representing Igboho and others arrested in his House, said he had not confirmed the news of Igboho’s arrest in Cotonou.

“I will contact Yomi Aliu (SAN) to verify the news,” he said.

Several supporters who are close to the embattled agitator confirmed his arrest to The Nation on Tuesday.

One of them said Igboho had a Benin Republic passport and was on his way to Germany before he was arrested on Monday night.

“It would have been difficult for authorities to arrest him outside the country. He had a German passport with 10-years validity

“Forget the insinuations and reports that his location was tracked in Nigeria, it was difficult for intelligent sources to track his location, he has been in an undisclosed location in Benin Republic since about two weeks.”

Omo Yoruba Ronu TV, which airs shows related to Igboho and Yoruba Nation agitation, in a terse post on Tuesday said: “I urge you to stand with your own, who has not committed any crime. Self-determination is not a crime.

“They are still standing with killer herdsmen who have killed over 20,000 Nigerians under Buhari & even asking that everyone should give them land and we budget billions for them.”

An ex-aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri also said: “The reported arrest of Sunday Igboho in Cotonou is unfortunate. He is a hero freedom fighter who defended us.

“We must now repay his good turn and also defend him by gathering resources for his legal defence. Igboho deserves the same commitment from us that Buhari has shown and continues to show to killer herdsmen and bandits.”

Efforts to reach Igboho’s media aide, Koiki proved abortive as at the time of this report.