Confusion has continued to surround the fate of several kidnapping victims abducted in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, after authorities dismissed widespread claims that the captives had regained their freedom following an ultimatum issued by Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The controversy erupted after videos circulated on social media showing residents celebrating and singing alongside Igboho, prompting reports that a woman, her children and a sibling who were abducted by gunmen had been released.
However, both the Oorelope Local Government leadership and the Oyo State Police Command have insisted that the victims remain in captivity.
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In a statement issued on Sunday, Oorelope Local Government Chairman, Jacob Ogundiran, described the reports of the victims’ release as false and misleading.
“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,” Ogundiran said.
He added that security agencies, supported by local stakeholders and traditional institutions, were intensifying efforts to secure the safe rescue of the abducted persons.
The spokesman for the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, also rejected claims that the victims had been freed or that any rescue operation linked to the viral celebrations had occurred.
According to him, security operatives remain actively engaged in efforts to locate and rescue the hostages.
“Whatever the activist is doing, if the said victims are still in captivity, I don’t know. Efforts are ongoing to rescue them,” Ayanlade said.
He also clarified that the victims were abducted in Igbope community and not in Igboho town as suggested in some social media reports.
The victims were reportedly kidnapped during a midnight attack by armed men who invaded the community and whisked away members of a family.
Sources familiar with the incident said the abductors initially demanded N300 million as ransom before later reducing the demand to N150 million.
The incident triggered fresh outrage in parts of Oyo State, where residents have repeatedly raised concerns over increasing cases of kidnapping and violent crime in rural communities.
Amid the tension, Igboho recently visited the area and issued a strong warning to suspected kidnappers and some Fulani community leaders, demanding the immediate release of the victims.
In a viral video, the activist accused some criminal elements of terrorising residents through kidnappings and killings, while warning that communities would no longer tolerate such attacks.
“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 declared.
He also issued a two-hour deadline for the release of the captives and threatened further action if the demand was ignored.
The latest development comes amid heightened security concerns across Oyo State, where authorities have repeatedly cautioned residents against spreading unverified information capable of undermining rescue operations and creating panic. The police have urged the public to rely on official channels for updates while security agencies continue efforts to secure the victims’ safe return.
