BREAKING NEWS: Yoruba Culture Advocate Alleges Coordinated Plot to Silence Him, Fears Weekend Detention and Kuje Transfer
Yoruba culture advocate and writer Adedamola Adetayo has issued a renewed and emotionally charged warning, claiming his life, liberty and health are under imminent threat as he prepares to honour a police invitation in Abuja.
The latest alarm comes weeks after Skytrend News first reported on December 24 that Adetayo feared sustained intimidation linked to his writings on Yoruba identity, cultural preservation and political self-determination, an earlier report that detailed alleged procedural abuse, opaque police summons and health risks surrounding forced travel.
“I Am Being Hunted” — A New, Dire Warning
In a statement circulating widely online, Adetayo alleges that powerful interests are mobilising money and influence to silence him for “speaking bitter truths.” He claims the pressure campaign has become personal and punitive, and that attempts at de-escalation have failed.
He says he expects to be detained over a weekend in Abuja and fears a possible transfer to Kuje Correctional Centre, describing the situation as a deliberate effort to intimidate him and deter others from speaking out.
Background: What Skytrend News Reported on December 24
In its December 24 investigation, Skytrend News reported that Adetayo based in Abeokuta had raised alarm over what he described as police harassment following a petition alleging criminal defamation. He said he was repeatedly summoned to Abuja without being shown the petition or any court order, despite requests for transparency.
That report which has now gone viral, also noted his claim that long road travel posed serious risks due to hypertension and asthma, and that he had sought relief at the Federal High Court in Abeokuta to protect his fundamental rights while the matter remained unresolved.
The Abuja Journey and Safety Fears
Adetayo now says he is preparing to submit to the invitation despite fears for his safety, insisting he lacks wealth or political protection and is vulnerable to abuse.
He has again questioned why statements could not be taken in nearer cities or through counsel, citing Nigeria’s unitary police structure and the security risks associated with inter-state travel.
Yoruba Advocacy at the Centre
Adetayo is a vocal proponent of the “Think Yoruba First” ideology and a writer on Yoruba cultural survival. He maintains that his commentaries are opinions and ideological arguments, not crimes, and are protected by constitutional guarantees of free expression.
Supporters argue the case illustrates a broader pattern of using police processes to intimidate cultural advocates; critics urge restraint, verification and due process.
Authorities Yet to Respond
As of this publication, there has been no official statement from law enforcement addressing the specific claims of an impending detention or transfer. Those mentioned in the allegations have not publicly responded.
A Test for Free Speech?
With tensions rising and memories of the December 24 Skytrend report still fresh, observers say what happens next could become a defining moment for free expression, police accountability and the treatment of cultural advocates in Nigeria.
For Adetayo, the issue is stark: can a Nigerian speak about his people and heritage without fearing for his life?
