Confusion has emerged over the fate of victims abducted in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, after both the local council chairman and the Oyo State Police Command dismissed reports suggesting that the captives had been freed.
The claims followed a video circulating on social media on Saturday showing large crowds of residents singing and dancing with Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
The jubilation was described as a celebration of the release of the victims, a woman, her children, and a sibling.
They were said to be released following Igboho’s issuance of a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani community leaders, demanding their release.
However, both local and state authorities have refuted these reports.
In a statement on Sunday, the Oorelope Local Government Chairman, Jacob Ogundiran, described the claims 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,” the statement read.
Ogundiran assured that security agencies at state and local levels are intensifying efforts to secure the victims’ safe rescue, while commending community leaders, residents, and stakeholders for providing intelligence and support. He emphasised that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority.
The spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, also debunked claims that the hostages had been released or that Igboho played any role in their rescue.
“Whatever the activist is doing, if the said victims are still in captivity, I don’t know. Efforts are ongoing to rescue them.
“Meanwhile, the victims were not even kidnapped in Igboho. They were kidnapped at Igbope,” he told our correspondent in a phone call.
The abduction occurred during a midnight attack when gunmen kidnapped members of a family.
The kidnappers initially reportedly demanded N300 million in ransom, later reducing it to N150 million.
Following the incident, Igboho issued a stern warning to suspected Fulani community leaders in the area over rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity.
In the earlier viral video, Igboho was seen addressing 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.
He further warned that failure to comply would trigger decisive action, including threats of entering suspected hideouts linked to the kidnappings.
Following the ultimatum, videos from the community showed jubilant residents celebrating what was described as the release of the abducted family, though authorities have now debunked the claims.
