Maha Christopher
The Oyo State Police Command and Oorelope Local Government have dismissed reports claiming that victims abducted in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, have been released following an ultimatum issued by Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
According to The Punch, the claims emerged after videos circulated on social media showing residents celebrating alongside Igboho, with reports suggesting that a woman, her children and a sibling who were kidnapped during a recent attack had regained their freedom.
However, authorities have described the reports as false, insisting that the victims remain in captivity.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chairman of Oorelope Local Government, Jacob Ogundiran, urged residents to disregard reports of the victims’ release.
“The attention of the Oorelope Local Government Area leadership has been drawn to circulating rumours and unverified reports claiming the release of the kidnapping victims.
“We state authoritatively that these reports are false and misleading. The victims are still in captivity, and we urge the public to discountenance any information to the contrary unless it comes from credible sources,” he said.
Ogundiran stated that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the safe rescue of the victims and commended community leaders and residents for providing useful information to investigators.
The spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, also refuted reports that the hostages had been freed or that Igboho played any role in their release.
“Whatever the activist is doing, if the said victims are still in captivity, I don’t know. Efforts are ongoing to rescue them.
“Meanwhile, the victims were not even kidnapped in Igboho. They were kidnapped at Igbope,” Ayanlade said.
The victims were abducted during a midnight attack on a family residence, with the kidnappers reportedly demanding an initial ransom of N300 million before reducing it to N150 million.
Following the incident, Igboho issued a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani community leaders in the area, demanding the immediate release of the victims.
In a viral video, the activist accused some members of the Fulani community of being involved in kidnapping activities and warned against further attacks on residents.
“I am Sunday Igboho. I am calm because my fathers asked me to be calm with you. Let this be the last time such a thing will happen,” he said.
Despite celebrations in parts of the community after the ultimatum, authorities insist that the abducted family has not been released and that rescue efforts are still ongoing.
