Sunday Igboho Threatens To Expose Politicians Behind Oyo Schoolchildren’s Abduction

Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has threatened to reveal the identities of politicians he alleged are behind the abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Igboho made the allegation on Wednesday in a now-trending video captured by Wisdom TV while receiving the newly elected executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students, led by Akinteye Babatunde, at his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He alleged that some politicians were sponsoring kidnappers operating in parts of the state, claiming that the attackers were being supplied with money and ammunition.

According to him, he knows those allegedly behind the security crisis and would not hesitate to expose them if they failed to stop what he described as their evil activities.

“If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are neither gnomes nor mannequins; they are humans, so that they could be dislodged. I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop perpetrating their evil acts, I will mention them all. I know them. The politicians behind them are the ones giving them ammunition and money,” he said.

Igboho also claimed that he had offered to assist in rescuing the abducted pupils but was prevented from doing so by the Oyo State Government.

He said the state authorities informed him that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the victims if he attempted to intervene in the rescue operation.

“Later, they informed me that the kidnappers said if I try to force myself to come rescue the children, they will kill them all. If they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should tell my boys and me to chase them out of the forests in our regions and see if those people will remain there even with their bombs and sophisticated weapons,” Igboho stated.

The Yoruba Nation agitator insisted that the kidnappers could be dislodged if local security groups were allowed to move into the forests where he alleged the criminals were hiding.

He argued that those behind the abduction were not invincible and could be confronted if the authorities were sincere about ending insecurity in the region.

Igboho further claimed that he had secured federal approval for his security outfit, Iru Ekun, but was discouraged by the state government from deploying the network in the rescue efforts.

According to him, the security outfit was set up to protect communities in the South-West, especially areas exposed to attacks by kidnappers and armed groups.

“After I arranged ‘Iru Ekun’ security network, the Federal Government permitted me, but the state government said no security must take a step behind them. Do we have to wait for him to flood the forests to rescue these children? I’m just concerned about these abductees; nobody can kidnap me, not even my family, because they are spread across Canada and Germany. Why should I fret?” he said.

He maintained that his concern was mainly for the abducted children and their families, adding that the worsening security situation in the region required urgent and practical action.

Igboho also linked the security challenges to what he described as a broader political agenda against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He alleged that some individuals were trying to destabilise the current government by creating fear among citizens and spreading propaganda.

According to him, the same tactics used against former President Goodluck Jonathan were now being deployed against Tinubu.

“Despite how bad Buhari’s administration is, he completed his tenure. Why are they trying to stop a Yoruba man — Tinubu — from completing his? It was Tinubu who freed me when I was in exile. Why should I tackle him? And why are they trying to ruin his government?” Igboho queried.

He added, “The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him. They even have fake news propaganda to scare the masses and divert supporters away from the President. Suppose the recent abduction is not a game. In Oyo, they made away with children. I volunteered to go, but the state government said ‘No.’”

Igboho’s comments came days after bandits abducted dozens of pupils and teachers during attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.

The incident sparked widespread concern and protests, with residents, parents and civil groups calling on security agencies and government authorities to secure the release of the victims.

The abduction has also renewed public debate over insecurity in the South-West and the role of local security networks in protecting communities.

As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government had yet to respond to Igboho’s allegations.