Conflicting reports have continued to surround the fate of victims abducted in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, with local authorities and the police dismissing claims that the captives have regained their freedom.
The controversy followed widespread reports alleging that Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, facilitated the release of the victims after issuing a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani community leaders in the area.
Reports circulating on social media and in parts of the media claimed that the abducted victims, including a woman, her children and a sibling, were freed shortly after Igboho threatened to confront those allegedly behind the abduction if they failed to release them.
The reports sparked celebrations across Igboho town, with residents seen in viral videos singing and dancing in what many believed was a celebration of the victims’ return.
However, the Chairman of Oorelope Local Government, Jacob Ogundiran, has denied the reports, insisting that the victims remain in captivity.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the council boss described the claims 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 working tirelessly to secure the safe release of the victims.
He added that authorities had continued to deploy the necessary resources and strategies toward achieving a successful rescue operation.
While acknowledging the anxiety generated by the incident, Ogundiran expressed confidence in the efforts and cooperation of security agencies and individuals assisting with the rescue mission.
He also commended security operatives, community leaders, stakeholders and residents who have contributed intelligence, prayers and 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.
The chairman appealed to residents to remain calm, vigilant and responsible in sharing information while rescue efforts continue.
His position aligns with that of the Oyo State Police Command, which also rejected claims linking the alleged release of the victims to Igboho’s intervention.
Reacting to viral videos and social media reports, the police said there was no official confirmation that the captives 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 further noted that:
“the Oyo State Commissioner of Police has explicitly denied that Sunday Igboho was involved in recent rescue operations.”
Describing the online reports as unverified, the police urged members of the public to rely only on official updates regarding the incident.
Confirming the command’s position, Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said:
“Yes, but it was just a reaction.”
The controversy stemmed from a strongly worded warning issued by Igboho, who accused criminal elements of turning the town into a hotspot for kidnapping and alleged that some members of the Fulani community were shielding those responsible.
Addressing Fulani leaders and traditional representatives in a viral video, he said:
“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 the kidnappers were known within the Fulani community and accused local leaders of failing to curb 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 recurring pattern in the attacks, 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 escalated, the activist issued a two-hour ultimatum demanding 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.
He also alleged that efforts to trace the kidnappers led to locations linked to prominent individuals in 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 calls for the victims’ relatives to pay ransom, Igboho stated:
“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 after gunmen reportedly kidnapped members of a family during a midnight raid and demanded a huge ransom.
Reports indicated that 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 victims’ release.
Despite celebrations in parts of Igboho over reports of the captives’ freedom, both the local government and the police insist there is no official confirmation of their release and have urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information while rescue efforts continue.