Authorities rejected reports of Igboho’s release, saying the victims were still being held hostage

Conflicting statements have emerged regarding the status of abducted Igboho residents in Oorelope Local Government Area of ​​Oyo State, as local authorities and police insist that the victims have not regained their freedom despite widespread celebrations in the community.

This confusion follows the circulation of a viral video showing residents singing, dancing and celebrating with Yoruba self-determination campaigner, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.

The celebration was widely interpreted as confirmation that a woman, her children and other family members kidnapped by gunmen had been freed after Igboho reportedly issued a two-hour ultimatum demanding their freedom.

However, officials stated that the report was inaccurate.

Responding to the claims, the Chairman of Oorelope Local Government, Jacob Ogundiran, said that reports that the captives had been released were not true.

“The attention of the leadership of Oorelope Local Government Area has been drawn to circulating rumors and unverified reports claiming the release of abductees.

“We officially declare that these reports are false and misleading. The victims remain in custody, and we urge the public to ignore conflicting information unless it comes from a reliable source,” the statement read.

Also read: Minggu Igboho Threatens Fulani Community, Warns DPO about Kidnapping

Ogundiran assured residents that security officials continued efforts to secure the release of the kidnapped families, while appreciating community members and local stakeholders who assisted with intelligence gathering and other support.

According to him, protecting lives and property remains the main responsibility of regional governments.

The Oyo State Police Command also rejected suggestions that the victims had been rescued or that Igboho was responsible for securing their release.

Regarding this, the National Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said that the security forces were still actively trying to free the hostages.

“Whatever the activist did, whether the victim is still being held hostage, I don’t know. Rescue efforts are continuing.

“Meanwhile, the victims were not kidnapped in Igboho. They were kidnapped in Igbope,” he told our correspondent by telephone.

The victims were abducted in a late-night attack on their residence, when gunmen reportedly stormed the area and took family members away.

Sources familiar with the incident said the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N300 million before reportedly reducing the amount to N150 million during negotiations.

The incident raised tensions in the community and attracted the attention of Sunday Igboho, who later summoned alleged Fulani leaders and representatives of the community over alleged kidnappings and repeated insecurity in the area.

In a video that later went viral online, the activist was seen addressing traditional rulers and local stakeholders, expressing his anger over incidents of kidnapping and murder allegedly linked to criminal elements operating in the region.

Referring to previous kidnapping cases, he accused the perpetrator of killing the individual who delivered the ransom money, but only saved one victim.

“The person who brought the ransom money, you still kill him and leave only one person,” he said, warning that such an incident would not happen again.

Igboho also demanded the immediate release of the abducted families and issued a time limit for compliance, stating that he had exercised restraint out of respect for traditional rulers who called for calm.

“I am Sunday Igboho. I am calm because my father asked me to be calm with you. Let this be the last time that happens,” he said.

The activist further threatened to take direct action against the location he believed was being used as a hideout for the kidnappers if the victims were not released within the specified time period.

Following his statement, videos emerged showing jubilation in parts of the community, leading many to believe that the kidnapped family had regained their freedom.

But with local authorities and police now insisting that the victims remain in custody, uncertainty continues to surround their whereabouts as rescue efforts intensify.