Nigerian separatist leader arrested in Benin - reports

Nigeria’s Yoruba separatist leader Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has been arrested in neighbouring Benin, weeks after he was declared wanted for allegedly stockpiling arms.

Mr Igboho was arrested by security forces at an airport in Benin's capital, Cotonou, on Monday night.

Sources told Nigerian media that he was heading for Germany and would now be repatriated on Tuesday.

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier said it was pursuing Mr Igboho after fleeing a raid on his residence in south-western Oyo state.

Nigeria's security forces are yet to comment on the arrest.

The DSS on 1 July raided Mr Igboho’s residence, two days after the activist called for anti-government protests. The agency said it recovered a cache of arms from Mr Igboho’s house in the raid.

Mr Igboho has been actively campaigning for the formation of an independent state of Yoruba in south-western Nigeria.

The separatist leader has been accused of inciting violence against Fulani herders in southern states, an allegation he denies.

Source: BBC