Yoruba Nation advocate, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has made a passionate plea to the Federal Government of Nigeria to remove his name from its wanted list, asserting that he is not a criminal. The appeal, made on Tuesday during a visit to the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, comes as Igboho seeks full freedom and reintegration into his homeland.

Igboho, who gained prominence for his activism against alleged herdsmen killings and kidnappings in the Southwest, fled Nigeria in July 2021 after his Ibadan residence was raided by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). The DSS had declared him wanted, alleging he was stockpiling arms and inciting violence, claims Igboho has consistently denied, stating the weapons were planted. He was subsequently arrested in Benin Republic while attempting to travel to Germany and remained in detention there until his conditional release in October 2023. He briefly returned to Nigeria in February 2024 for his late mother’s burial.

During his visit to Oba Alao, Igboho expressed his frustration at his current predicament. “I am not happy that I am not free in my own fatherland,” he lamented. “I want the Federal Government to remove my name from the wanted list because I am not a criminal. A lot of people are threatening to kill me; I cannot sleep in my house.”

He further revealed the practical implications of his wanted status, recounting an experience at the Nigerian embassy in Germany. “The other time I went to the Nigerian embassy in Germany to obtain a passport, they told me the Federal Government had written to them that I was on the wanted list,” he explained, emphasizing his desire “to just be free.”

Igboho appealed to the monarch for royal backing in his quest for total freedom, acknowledging Oba Alao’s unwavering support throughout his ordeal. “Oba Olugbon is one of the traditional rulers who stood by me, supported me, and encouraged me. I do not take that love for granted,” he said.

Beyond his personal plea, Igboho also used the platform to address the escalating insecurity in the Southwest. He urged the government to appoint competent individuals to safeguard the region, offering his full support to any capable person assigned the responsibility. “If they cannot let me handle it, they should assign it to someone capable, and we will give our full support,” he stated.

In his remarks, the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, described Igboho as a true patriot whose activism, he believes, contributed to the emergence of a Yoruba president. He assured Igboho of his royal backing and pledged to engage the Alaafin of Oyo and other key stakeholders to secure his total freedom.

“You are not a criminal. Your efforts played a role in the emergence of a Yoruba president. I appeal to President Bola Tinubu to pardon you and fully restore your rights,” Oba Alao stated. He also called on all Southwest governors to unite and approach the President on Igboho’s behalf, adding, “Enough of your time abroad we need you back home.” The monarch went further to recommend Igboho for a leadership role in the Southwest’s security architecture, promising to send a formal recommendation to the governors and President Tinubu within 48 hours.

The Federal Government is yet to issue an official response to Sunday Igboho’s latest appeal. His plea rekindles public discourse on issues of regional agitation, human rights, and the government’s approach to dealing with perceived dissidents.