Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has threatened to expose politicians he alleged are behind the recent abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Igboho made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing newly elected executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by Akinteye Babatunde, at his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan.
In a video of the meeting that has since circulated on social media, the activist claimed he had volunteered to lead efforts to flush out the kidnappers from their hideouts but was prevented from doing so by the Oyo State Government.
He also denied claims that he demanded money from the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to assist in the rescue of the abducted victims.
“If I am allowed to enter their hideouts, they will flee. They are human beings and can be dislodged,” Igboho said.
“I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop what they are doing, I will mention their names. They are the ones supplying them with ammunition and money.”
The activist further alleged that certain political actors were working to destabilise the country and undermine the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him,” he said.
Referring to the recent abductions in Oriire, Igboho claimed he offered to intervene but was discouraged by state authorities.
“Later, I was informed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill all the victims if I attempted any rescue operation,” he alleged.
He maintained that members of his proposed security outfit, the Iru Ekun Security Network, were capable of pursuing criminal elements operating in forests across the South-West if granted official approval.
According to him, although the Federal Government approved the initiative, the Oyo State Government cautioned him against undertaking independent security operations in the state.
“After I arranged the Iru Ekun Security Network, the Federal Government gave approval, but the state government insisted that no security outfit should operate outside its directives,” he said.
Igboho also defended President Tinubu, questioning why some individuals were allegedly working against his administration.
“It was Tinubu who helped me when I was in exile. Why should I work against him?” he said.
The controversy follows the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, during which dozens of pupils, students and teachers were reportedly abducted by gunmen.
The affected schools included Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School.
The incident sparked widespread concern across Oyo State, with security agencies launching operations to track down the attackers, who reportedly fled into nearby forests bordering Oriire communities and the Old Oyo National Park axis.
A teacher at Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Elizabeth Olagoke, had earlier told journalists that the kidnappers communicated in Yoruba, Hausa and Pidgin English.
Days after the attack, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by his captors, further heightening public outrage over the incident.
The killing intensified calls for stronger security measures and renewed debate over local security initiatives aimed at tackling criminal activities in forests and rural communities across the South-West.
