Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has for the first time publicly described the July 2021 Department of State Services (DSS) raid on his Ibadan home, alleging that operatives shot and killed a cat after mistaking the animal for him. Igboho said he remained inside the house throughout the operation and observed the search without being detected.
Igboho Details the Raid
Speaking on Monday, July 27, 2026, while receiving a delegation of Muslim clerics at his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, Igboho recounted the events of the early morning raid. According to reports from TheCable and The Punch, he stated: "I didn't turn into a cat. They even killed it, thinking it was me." He further alleged that the DSS brought in what he described as a "fake herbalist" who performed incantations in an effort to locate him. "They even brought a fake herbalist who was making incantations. I was in the house watching them, but they didn't see me," he added.
Igboho said the security operatives arrived at his home in the Soka area of Ibadan around 1:30 am and opened fire after hearing his voice. He claimed they later climbed the fence and used explosives to blast through the burglary-proof entrance. The activist briefly considered surrendering but held back, fearing the operatives would kill him on the spot. He further alleged that a gun was pointed at the head of his personal assistant, known as Dudu, and that the aide was used to pressure him into opening the door. A partially blind relative was also reportedly shot after operatives mistook him for an attacker.
Background to the 2021 Operation
The DSS raided Igboho's residence at the height of tensions between the activist and the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Igboho had earlier drawn national attention by issuing ultimatums to Fulani residents in parts of Oyo State, accusing them of links to kidnapping and violent crime. He later became a leading voice in the campaign for a separate Yoruba nation, prompting a federal government response. After the raid, the DSS reported recovering weapons and ammunition from the property and arresting 13 of Igboho's associates. The agency also said two of his aides were killed during an exchange of gunfire.
Aftermath and Escape
Following the incident, Igboho fled Nigeria and was arrested in Cotonou, Benin Republic, while attempting to travel to Germany. He was eventually released after months of legal proceedings in Benin. Igboho credited his escape from the raid to divine protection, stating that the prayers of Muslim clerics had kept him safe during the ordeal. In his recent remarks, he also confirmed that members of his Iru Ekun security outfit who were ambushed in Old Oyo National Park during an operation targeting suspected kidnappers had fully recovered. He vowed that the security operations would continue despite the attack.
The public reaction to Igboho's latest revelations has highlighted both support for the activist and questions about the transparency and safety measures during the 2021 operation.
