Embattled Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, famously known as Sunday Igboho, has thanked the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Athanase Talon, for protecting him from officials of the Nigerian government who wanted to kill him after he was arrested in Cotonou.
Igboho who was recently freed from a Benin Republic prison after his arrest in July 2021 at the Cotonou International Airport revealed that Talon did everything to ensure he was comfortable while he was in prison as he enjoyed maximum freedom and first class health care.
While speaking recently, Igboho debunked the rumour that that he was battling serious health issues earlier this year. He disclosed that he did not fall sick while he was in prison.
He said every attempt to kill him by the government of Nigeria was thwarted by the Benin President who ensured that he was safe while in prison.
He said: “When I was arrested, a lot of people did not understand. Honestly, Nigeria used all her power. Nigeria requested for me to be handed over to them by the Benin Government. The Nigerian government wanted to kill me by all means.
“There is no security; there is nothing in Nigeria. And when you want to speak against all these, they would try to kill you. What was my offence? Do I deserve to be killed?
“So President Talon said he wants to investigate me. So he said if it is about politics and human rights, it is against the law for them to hand me over to the Nigerian government.
“That is why all Yoruba people should thank President Talon on my behalf.
“There was no time I fell sick or had any health-related issues while in the prison. The Benin Republic President gave me maximum freedom to the extent that I do whatever I like. It was just that they did not allow me to have intercourse with my wife.
“The country should be regarded as one of the best African countries, owing to a series of turn around since the president took over the mantle of leadership. He has stabilised the socio-economic progress of the country.
“He invested a lot in the security apparatus of the country to the extent that, even the police are well remunerated beyond imagination, unlike the poor working condition we subject our own police to in Nigeria.
“During my stay in the prison, I enjoyed uninterrupted power supply. If everything works fine in my country, someone like me will not be out seeking for the Yoruba nation. But I will not say more than this for now.”
