After Arrest Of Sunday Igboho In Cotonou, Tukur Buratai Resumes As Ambassador In Benin Republic

Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, (Ret’d) has resumed as Nigeria's Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.

The former Chief of Army Staff and Grand Patron of the National Association of Online Security Reporters (NAOSRE), resumed office on Tuesday, to a grand welcome by Mr Patrice Talon, President of the Republic of Benin.

Buratai used the occasion to present his letter of credence to President Patrice Talon in Cotonou, the country's Capital.

President Patrice Talon who exuded confided on the renewed and strengthened bilateral relationship with Nigeria following the appointment of Ambassador Buratai maintained that the economic growth and social harmony of both countries remain the primary focus stressing that both countries have much to gain from each other.

Ambassador Buratai remarked that the existing bilateral relationship between both countries would henceforth enjoy the best of co-operation saying that a better West Africa sub-region remains dear to the heart of President Muhammadu Buhari.

General Buratai bowed out of military service on Tuesday, January 26 this year. President Buhari nominated him for the Ambassadorial assignment on Thursday, February 4. The Nigeria Senate confirmed the nomination on February 23 and a letter of credence was issued on Wednesday, June 23 by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Kwusike Onyeama.

Igboho in Cotonou

Self-determination of Oodua Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemi, popularly known as Sunday Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested on Monday, July 19, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou, the Republic of Benin on their way to Germany.  The Benin Republic authorities subsequently released Ropo while Igboho, a former bodyguard to former Oyo Governor, Rasheed Ladoja, was returned to police custody.

According to Ibrahim Salami, one of Sunday Igboho's legal representatives, the agitator was apprehended by the Government of Benin Republic on the directive of the Nigerian Government and he is being held by Benin Republic pending provision of evidence by Nigeria. 

Salami also said illegal migration, dubious connivance with immigration officers and an attempt to cause civil unrest have been added to charges being considered against Igboho.

While nothing about Sunday Igboho's detention has been connected to the recent ambassadorial debut of the former Chief of Army Staff in Benin Republic, a strengthened diplomatic tie at this time between the two countries has raised some eyebrows among analysts.   

NOASRE President Congratulates Ambassador Tukur Buratai 

NAOSRE President, Comrade Oyewale Femi congratulated Ambassador Buratai on his resumption in the Republic of Benin.

“On behalf of NAOSRE leaders and members, I congratulate our Grand Patron,  Ambassador  Tukur Yusufu Buratai on his grand resumption in the Benin Republic. 

“Our implicit confidence and trust in you since you accepted to be our Grand Patron on March 11 at a well-attended event at the  Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, have never waned.

“NAOSRE remains committed to a safer Nigeria through media interventions while we remain optimistic of your commitment to a better Nigeria, this time, from the diplomatic circle,” Oyewale assured.