Politicians Fingered In Oyo Abductions: Igboho’s Warning

Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, has issued a stern warning to Nigerian politicians allegedly linked to the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State. He declared that unless the attacks stop, he will publicly name those he believes are financing and arming the perpetrators.

Igboho’s Allegations

Speaking at his Ibadan residence during a meeting with the new leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Igboho accused politicians of fueling insecurity in the South-West. He claimed that the abductions in Oriire Local Government Area were not random acts of banditry but coordinated operations backed by powerful figures.

“I know the politicians behind them,” Igboho said in a video now circulating online. “They are the ones giving them ammunition and money. If they do not stop, I will mention them all.”

Clash with Oyo Government

Igboho revealed that he had volunteered to lead a rescue mission for the abducted students but was blocked by the Oyo State Government. According to him, officials warned that any attempt to storm the kidnappers’ hideouts could endanger the victims’ lives. He insisted that his security outfit, “Iru Ekun,” approved by the Federal Government, was capable of dislodging the criminals from the forests.

“The state government said no security must act without them,” he explained. “But if they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should allow my boys and me to chase them out. Even with their bombs and weapons, they cannot withstand us.”

Political Undertones

The activist linked the abductions to wider political schemes aimed at destabilizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He compared the current situation to the challenges faced by former President Goodluck Jonathan, suggesting that opponents are trying to make Nigeria ungovernable.

“They want to ruin Tinubu’s government the same way they tried with Jonathan,” Igboho said. “It was Tinubu who freed me when I was in exile. Why should I fight him? Those behind these attacks are spreading propaganda and fake news to weaken his support.”

The Oriire Abduction

On May 15, gunmen stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting at least 45 pupils and teachers. The schools attacked included Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School. Witnesses reported that the kidnappers spoke Yoruba, Hausa, and Pidgin English, suggesting a coordinated group with diverse backgrounds.

Days later, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was gruesomely killed. A video released by the bandits showed him being beheaded after being forced to speak on camera. The chilling footage heightened tension across the state and fueled calls for urgent government action.

Security Response

Security agencies reportedly surrounded possible escape routes near the Old Oyo National Park, where the kidnappers fled. Despite these efforts, the abductees remain in captivity, and fear continues to grip local communities.

Igboho argued that the government’s approach has been too slow and bureaucratic. He maintained that grassroots security networks like his “Iru Ekun” could deliver faster results if allowed to operate freely.

Igboho’s Position

The activist emphasized that he has no personal stake in the crisis, noting that his family lives abroad and cannot be targeted. His concern, he said, is for the abducted children and the future of the Yoruba people.

“Why should I fret? Nobody can kidnap me or my family. But I am worried about these children. Do we have to wait endlessly before rescuing them?” he asked.

Broader Implications

Igboho’s accusations raise serious questions about the intersection of politics and insecurity in Nigeria. If politicians are indeed backing criminal networks, the implications for governance and public trust are profound. His threat to name names could trigger political shockwaves across Oyo State and beyond.

For now, the state government insists that private security outfits must comply with its regulations. Governor Seyi Makinde recently issued an Executive Order to control the activities of such groups, a move Igboho says he is willing to respect — provided it does not hinder urgent rescue operations.

The abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State has once again exposed Nigeria’s fragile security architecture. While government forces continue their search, Sunday Igboho’s warning adds a new dimension to the crisis. Whether he follows through on his threat to expose politicians remains to be seen, but his words have already intensified public debate on accountability and leadership in the fight against banditry.