The Defence Headquarters (DHQ), have dismissed the allegations that the Federal Government masterminded the incident, pointing out that the person involved was a serial impersonator and not a soldier as alleged.
Footage of the incident had shown the two alleged spies being pursued by Igboho’s supporters in Ibadan as they fled on a motorcycle.
They were subsequently caught and taken to Igboho’s residence in the Soka area of Ibadan.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, in a statement on Saturday, titled, ‘Re: Sunday Igboho apprehends alleged soldiers, accuses Federal Government of spying on him,’ dismissed accusations that the FG orchestrated the incident over comments made by Igboho that Yoruba were no longer a part of Nigeria.
According to the statement, “For the avoidance of doubt, preliminary investigation has so far revealed that one of the alleged “soldiers” is a serial impersonator.
“Meanwhile, credible eye witnesses and sources have also revealed that some associates of Igboho went in pursuit of some individuals when the motorbike conveying the impersonator and one Nigerian Air Force officer ran into them.
“The duo were immediately apprehended and taken to the said “IGBOHO House” at Soka before Ibadan toll gate where they were branded as spies. Furthermore, investigations are currently underway by Nigerian Airforce and the Nigerian Army to unravel the actual circumstances which played out on the day.”
He stressed further, military “cannot cannot stoop so low to such extent to ‘spy’ on one individual, as wildly and loosely alleged,” noting that the armed forces of Nigeria “is a highly disciplined and professional organization with extant laws and regulations which guide the actions of its personnel in the conduct of their duties.”
