Igboho Set To Return To Nigeria After Taken Off Watchlist

Olayomi Koiki, spokesperson for Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has announced that all arrangements have been concluded for his principal’s return to Nigeria following his removal from the government’s list of wanted persons.

Koiki said the breakthrough came after prominent South-West traditional rulers intervened and persuaded President Bola Tinubu to grant Igboho clearance. Among the monarchs involved were the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; and the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, among others.

Igboho fled Nigeria on July 1, 2021, after his residence in Ibadan, Oyo State, was raided by a joint team of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army over allegations of illegal arms possession. The operation, which followed Igboho’s campaign against armed Fulani herdsmen in the South-West, resulted in the death of three of his aides and the arrest of 13 others.

He later escaped to the Benin Republic but was arrested at the Cotonou Airport on July 19, 2021, while attempting to travel to Germany. Igboho was detained for over a year before his release in March 2022.

Under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Igboho was declared wanted, denied a Nigerian passport, and had his bank accounts frozen, despite court rulings in his favour.

In 2025, during a visit to the Olugbon Palace in Orile Igbon, Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, Igboho publicly expressed frustration over his prolonged exile and appealed to President Tinubu to clear his name. Similar appeals were also made to the Olubadan of Ibadanland.

In the statement issued on Sunday, Koiki confirmed that the Presidency has now cleared Igboho, paving the way for his return.

“Chief Sunday Adeyemo may return to the country at any moment. He has been fully cleared and will be reintegrated following the approval granted by the Presidency,” Koiki said.

The development followed a recent visit by the Olubadan to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.

Describing the clearance as a historic moment, Koiki said, “This is a moment of joy for Ibadanland and the entire Yorubaland. Chief Adeyemo is no longer being sought by government authorities and is free to return home.”

He added that Igboho has expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu, South-West traditional rulers, and Yoruba sons and daughters across the world for their support throughout his years in exile.