Igboho played No Part In Release Kidnap Victims - Police:
The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed viral online claims that Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo (popularly known as Sunday Igboho), was involved in the alleged release of kidnapped victims in the Igboho community of Oorelope Local Government Area. Authorities stated that social media reports attributing the rescue to Igboho are false and unfounded.
Furthermore, the Police Command clarified that there is currently no official confirmation that the abducted family members have been rescued. Police officials emphasized that they have found no evidence linking the activist to any intervention or operation regarding the situation.
“The Nigeria Police Force has officially debunked claims that the hostages have been safely released,” the command said, adding that the Oyo State Commissioner of Police had not confirmed Igboho’s involvement in any operation.
Public excitement erupted following claims that an abducted woman, her children, and a relative—who were kidnapped during a midnight raid by armed men—had been freed shortly after Sunday Igboho issued a strict two-hour ultimatum threatening action if they were not released.
The midnight abduction threw the local community into intense distress when armed men invaded the area and took a family hostage. During negotiations, the captors initially demanded a N300 million ransom before reportedly slashing the sum to N150 million. Public anxiety deepened further as tension escalated over unconfirmed reports that a pregnant woman and a ransom courier were killed during the incident.
In response to the crisis, Sunday Igboho released widely shared videos condemning the rising wave of kidnappings across the region. The activist issued a stern warning to local residents and authorities, accusing them of harboring criminal elements. However, the Oyo State Police Command firmly pushed back against these claims, with spokesperson DSP Olayinka Ayanlade reiterating that the circulating social media reports are completely unverified and lack official backing.
Massive uncertainty still surrounds the ultimate fate of the abducted family members. Conflicting accounts continue to spread rapidly across both local groups and online networks, leaving the community on edge.