Renowned Nigerian writer and Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has strongly criticized the 2021 raid on the Ibadan residence of Yoruba Nation activist Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, labeling the operation by Nigerian security forces as “unlawful and criminal.”

The raid, which took place on July 1, 2021, in the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State, was executed by a joint team from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Authorities claimed the operation was based on intelligence suggesting Igboho was stockpiling weapons.

In a video shared by Igboho’s media aide, Olayomi Koiki, Soyinka called on the Federal Government to issue a formal apology to the activist rather than continue to treat him as a fugitive. “My advice is not so much to Igboho as it is to the government. They should stop pursuing this person as a criminal because they began by acting in a criminal fashion against him,” Soyinka said.

The raid led to the deaths of two of Igboho’s aides and the arrest of thirteen others. Soyinka warned that any attempt to prosecute Igboho would be a misstep for the authorities. “If and when Igboho is brought to trial, I guarantee that the government will be very embarrassed. It is not in its interest,” he stated.

He further advised the government to acknowledge its error and allow Igboho to return to his normal life. “I think they should simply tell him, ‘We made a mistake; we should not have acted this way. You are no longer wanted.’ They should escort him back to his home quietly and let him resume his normal life,” Soyinka added.

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Addressing media portrayals of Igboho as being “in hiding,” Soyinka clarified that the activist had instead “gone underground” for self-preservation and to continue his advocacy.

“I am not referring to the secessionist element, I am talking about what Igboho originally set out to do, to protect and defend his people, and to make it clear to aggressors that they are not lords over this nation or any part of it beyond what the Constitution permits,” he explained.

Soyinka concluded with a warning to the government: “If you bring Igboho to trial, the government will end up with mud on its face.” He emphasized that the decision on future actions rests solely with Igboho.

“As far as I am concerned, it is up to him to decide his next steps. He knows what happened before his people were killed, and only he can determine what to do next,” Soyinka said.