Conflicting accounts emerge over alleged release of Oyo kidnap victims

as authorities insist abductees remain in captivity despite Igboho’s two-hour ultimatum

By Adeola Badru

Confusion has continued to surround the fate of victims abducted in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, as the council chairman, Jacob Ogundiran, and the Oyo State Police Command have dismissed widespread reports claiming the captives had regained their freedom.

The development came amid growing controversy following claims that Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, facilitated the victims’ release after issuing a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani community leaders in the area.

Reports had emerged on social media and in sections of the media that the kidnapped victims, including a woman, her children and a sibling, were released shortly after Igboho threatened to confront those allegedly responsible for the abduction if they failed to free the captives within two hours.

The reports triggered jubilation across Igboho town, with residents seen in viral videos singing, dancing and celebrating what many believed was the successful return of the victims after days of uncertainty.

However, the Oorelope Local Government Chairman has now refuted the claims, insisting that the victims remained in captivity.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Ofundiran described reports of the victims’ release as false and misleading.

“The kidnapped victims are yet to regain their freedom. We urge members of the public to disregard any information suggesting otherwise unless it emanates from official and credible sources,“ he said.

According to him, security agencies at both the state and local levels are making concerted efforts to secure the safe rescue of the victims.

He noted that relevant authorities had continued to deploy necessary resources and strategies to ensure a positive outcome.

While acknowledging the anxiety generated by the incident, Ogundiran expressed confidence in the commitment and collaboration among security agencies and individuals supporting ongoing rescue efforts.

The chairman also commended security agencies, stakeholders, community leaders and residents who have provided intelligence, prayers and other forms of support.

“The protection of lives and property remains a top priority of this administration, and no effort will be spared in ensuring the safe return of the victims,” he said.

He further appealed for calm, vigilance and responsible dissemination of information as efforts continue to secure the victims’ release.

The chairman’s position aligned with that of the Oyo State Police Command, which earlier dismissed reports linking the alleged release of the victims to Sunday Igboho’s intervention.

Reacting to viral videos and social media claims, the police said there was no official confirmation that the victims had been rescued and maintained that there was no evidence connecting Igboho to any rescue operation.

“The Nigeria Police Force has officially debunked claims that the hostages have been safely released,” the police stated.

The command added that “the Oyo State Commissioner of Police has explicitly denied that Sunday Igboho was involved in recent rescue operations.”

Describing reports circulating online as unsubstantiated, the police urged members of the public to rely only on official sources for updates on the situation.

Confirming the position of the command, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said: “Yes, but it was just a reaction.”

The controversy followed a strongly worded warning by Igboho, who accused criminal elements of turning Igboho town into a centre for kidnapping activities and blamed some members of the Fulani community for harbouring those responsible.

Addressing Fulani leaders and traditional representatives in a viral video, he declared: “You can’t be kidnapping in my father’s land and expect me to keep quiet. I’m an original indigene of Igboho land.”

“You kidnapped a pregnant woman, and the person who brought the ransom, you killed him and killed the pregnant woman, for what? In Igboho? You people are not even afraid of me in my father’s land?”

“This should be the last and it must end. My father has urged me to address you people patiently. What I’m fighting in other people’s land, you can’t come here and be doing it in my father’s land.”

Igboho further alleged that those behind the abduction were known within the Fulani community and accused community leaders of failing to check criminal activities.

“You people kidnapped a pregnant woman, killed the person that brought the ransom and left one person. You are not even afraid of God. It’s your boys that did the job,” he said.

Questioning what he described as a pattern in the abductions, he added: “Since you have been kidnapping here, have they ever abducted Fulani?”

“No, it’s the Yorubas they have been kidnapping and it should not be like that. This should be the last, and let us stay in harmony.”

As tension mounted in the community, the activist issued a two-hour ultimatum for the release of the remaining captives.

“I give you people two hours to release the woman, her children and her sibling who were kidnapped in the middle of the night. If I don’t see them within the next two hours, we will face each other,” he warned.

Igboho also claimed that efforts to trace the kidnappers led to locations allegedly connected to prominent individuals within the community.

“When we first tracked that number, it led us to Alhaji’s residence and they removed them from there in the middle of the night to Bani’s compound. They took them to Baale’s compound, where they currently are,” he alleged.

Rejecting any suggestion that the victims’ relatives should pay ransom, he said: “We don’t have any ransom to pay. You Fulanis should raise that ransom among yourselves and pay because we don’t have such money to pay. They started from N300 million and brought it down to N150 million.”

“Fulanis should contribute the ransom and get the woman, children and her sibling released. If they are killed, we will have a problem,“ Igboho said.

The abduction had sparked outrage in the community after gunmen reportedly kidnapped members of a family during a midnight attack and demanded huge sums as ransom.

According to reports, the kidnappers initially demanded N300 million before reducing the amount to N150 million during negotiations.

Public anger intensified following allegations that a pregnant woman and a ransom bearer were killed despite efforts to secure the release of the captives.

While celebrations had broken out in parts of Igboho following reports that the victims had been freed, both the Oorelope Local Government and the Oyo State Police Command insisted that there is currently no official confirmation of their release, urging residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information as rescue efforts continued. 

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