Conflicting reports have continued to trail the fate of victims abducted in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, as both the Oorelope Local Government Chairman, Jacob Ogundiran, and the Oyo State Police Command dismissed claims that the captives had regained their freedom.
The denial followed widespread reports on social media and in sections of the conventional media alleging that the victims were released after Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, issued a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani leaders in the community.
The reports 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 the captives within the stipulated time.
The claims sparked celebrations across Igboho town, with viral videos showing residents singing, dancing and rejoicing over what they believed was the victims’ safe return.
However, the Oorelope Local Government Chairman dismissed the reports as false, insisting that the victims were still being held captive.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Ogundiran urged residents to disregard unverified information regarding the victims’ release.
“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.
He assured residents that security agencies at the state and local levels were working tirelessly to secure the safe rescue of the victims, adding that all necessary resources and strategies had been deployed to achieve that objective.
Ogundiran also commended security personnel, community leaders, stakeholders and residents who had provided intelligence, prayers and other forms of support toward the rescue efforts.
“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 added, while appealing for calm, vigilance and responsible dissemination of information.
The chairman’s position was reinforced by the Oyo State Police Command, which also dismissed reports linking the alleged release of the victims to Sunday Igboho’s intervention.
Reacting to the viral claims, the command said there was no official confirmation that the victims 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 said.
The command further stated that the Oyo State Commissioner of Police had expressly denied reports suggesting that Igboho played any role in recent rescue operations.
The police described the circulating reports as unsubstantiated and urged the public to rely only on official sources for updates.
Confirming the command’s position, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, simply stated, “Yes, but it was just a reaction.”
The controversy followed a strongly worded warning by Sunday Igboho, who accused criminal elements of turning Igboho town into a centre for kidnapping activities and alleged that some members of the Fulani community were shielding those responsible.
In a viral video, Igboho expressed outrage over the kidnapping, saying criminal activities would not be tolerated in his hometown.
“You can’t be kidnapping in my father’s land and expect me to keep quiet. I’m an original indigene of Igboho land,” he declared.
He accused members of the Fulani community of knowing those behind the abductions and questioned why the victims were consistently Yoruba residents.
“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,” he said.
Igboho subsequently 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 track the kidnappers led to locations linked to prominent individuals in the community and rejected calls for the victims’ relatives to pay ransom.
According to reports, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦300 million before reducing the ransom to ₦150 million during negotiations.
The abduction sparked widespread outrage after gunmen reportedly kidnapped members of a family during a midnight attack. 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 Oorelope Local Government and the Oyo State Police Command insist there is no official confirmation that the victims have been rescued, urging residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information while rescue efforts continue.