The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed claims that Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, played any role in the release of kidnapped victims in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, despite widespread reports that the captives regained freedom shortly after he issued a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers.
The police, reacting to viral videos and social media reports, said there was no official confirmation that the victims had been rescued and insisted there was no evidence linking Igboho to any rescue operation.
The controversy followed a dramatic intervention by the activist, who had issued a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and alleged accomplices, demanding the immediate release of abducted family members or face direct confrontation. In a series of viral videos, Igboho accused criminal elements of turning the area into a kidnapping hotspot and issued warnings to those he believed were shielding the perpetrators.
Shortly after the ultimatum, reports emerged that the victims — including a woman, her children and a sibling — had been freed, sparking jubilation in parts of the community. Residents were seen in viral videos celebrating, dancing, and welcoming the return of the captives after days of tension.
The abduction had earlier triggered outrage after gunmen reportedly kidnapped members of a family during a midnight attack and demanded ransom. Initial reports indicated the abductors demanded N300 million before later reducing the figure to N150 million during negotiations. Tension escalated further following allegations that a pregnant woman and a ransom courier were killed during the incident, claims that fueled anger in the community and prompted Igboho’s intervention.
Igboho also addressed community representatives and traditional leaders, where he expressed anger over alleged killings and abductions in the area. He accused some members of the Fulani community of kidnapping residents and referenced incidents involving a pregnant woman and ransom negotiations that reportedly turned deadly. “The person who brought the ransom, you still killed him and spared only one person,” he said, while warning that such incidents must not repeat.
Igboho also issued a two-hour ultimatum for the release of other abducted victims, stressing that he had shown restraint following appeals from traditional rulers. “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.
The police maintained that as of the time of their statement, there was no official confirmation of any rescue linked to Igboho’s ultimatum and urged residents to rely only on information released through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force.
