Sunday Igboho Recounts DSS Raid: “They Wanted To Kill Me, But God Saved Me”

The name Sunday Igboho has long been synonymous with resistance, courage, and controversy in Nigeria’s political landscape. For some, he is a fearless defender of Yoruba rights and a symbol of the struggle for self-determination. For others, he is a firebrand agitator whose methods challenge the authority of the Nigerian state. But in his latest revelation, the man behind the Yoruba Nation movement gave a chilling account of how close he came to death during the infamous raid on his Ibadan residence.

Speaking at the palace of the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, Sunday Igboho alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) opened fire on him with the intent to take his life.

“When my house was invaded, they wanted to kill me, but failed. They fired guns at me very well, but the prayers of you, my fathers, on me were answered,” Igboho said.

The Raid That Shook the Nation

The DSS raid of July 1, 2021, remains one of the most dramatic chapters in Nigeria’s recent political history. The security agency stormed Igboho’s residence in Ibadan, reportedly to arrest him on allegations of stockpiling weapons and threatening national unity. The operation quickly turned violent, leaving some of his supporters dead and sparking outrage across the South-West.

Igboho, however, managed to evade capture in what many of his followers considered nothing short of divine intervention. Weeks later, he was arrested in neighboring Benin Republic while attempting to travel to Germany. His detention and subsequent trial abroad drew the attention of international observers, while back home, it ignited debates about freedom, self-determination, and the limits of state power.

More Than an Activist: Why Igboho Matters

To understand why the DSS considered Igboho a threat, one has to revisit his role in the Yoruba Nation agitation. Igboho rose to prominence after confronting Fulani herders accused of violent attacks against farmers in the South-West. His bold stance against what many locals viewed as unchecked killings and land grabs struck a chord with ordinary people who felt abandoned by the government.

For his supporters, Igboho became a defender of Yoruba identity and autonomy — a man willing to say and do what many feared to. For the Nigerian government, however, he represented a dangerous precedent: a regional leader openly challenging federal authority, mobilizing crowds, and calling for secession.

Faith, Politics, and Survival

Igboho’s latest account frames his survival during the raid as divine intervention. By attributing his escape to prayers and destiny, he reinforces his image not just as a political figure, but as a man on a spiritual mission. This framing resonates deeply in a society where faith and politics often intertwine, and where leaders who invoke divine backing gain both legitimacy and sympathy.

But beyond the spiritual narrative, the incident raises critical questions about the Nigerian state’s handling of dissent. Was the DSS raid an attempt to silence a political voice through excessive force? Or was it a lawful operation that spiraled out of control? These are debates that remain unresolved and continue to polarize Nigerians.

What It Means for Nigeria Today

Sunday Igboho’s re-emergence in public discourse reminds us that the push for self-determination in Nigeria is far from over. While his personal battles with the DSS may seem like a past event, the issues that fueled his movement — insecurity, ethnic tensions, and the call for regional autonomy — are still very much alive.

His survival story is not just about bullets and bravery; it is about the ongoing struggle between a central government fighting to preserve unity and regional voices demanding recognition and justice. Whether one sees Igboho as a hero or a rebel, his narrative speaks to a larger truth: Nigeria is a nation still negotiating the meaning of unity, identity, and freedom.

Final Thoughts

Sunday Igboho’s claim that DSS operatives attempted to kill him adds a dramatic layer to an already controversial saga. It is a story of faith, survival, and defiance — but also a reminder of the fragility of Nigeria’s democracy when dissent is met with gunfire.

As the Yoruba Nation agitator continues to speak out, his presence will keep forcing the country to confront uncomfortable questions about governance, ethnic relations, and the right to self-determination. Whether history will remember him as a freedom fighter or a disruptor remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the echoes of that night in Ibadan are still shaping Nigeria’s political journey today.