Yoruba Nation Activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has alleged that some politicians are supporting the kidnappers responsible for the kidnapping schoolchildren in Oyo State and threatened to expose those involved if the attacks continued.
Speaking during a meeting with newly elected executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by Akinteye Babatunde, at his residence in Soka area of Ibadan on Wednesday, Igboho claimed to have information on individuals who sponsor criminal groups operating in parts of the state.
In a video circulated online by Wisdom TV, the activist said he volunteered to help drive the kidnappers out of their hideouts but was prevented from doing so by the Oyo State government.
Igboho threatens to name alleged sponsors
According to him, the kidnappers could be defeated if security operatives and local vigilante groups were allowed to pursue them to the forest camps.
“I know the politicians behind them and if they don’t stop doing their evil deeds, I will mention them all. The politicians behind them are the ones who give them ammunition and money,” he said.
Igboho further alleged that some political actors were deliberately creating instability to undermine the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him. They are using propaganda and fake news to discourage the president’s supporters,” he said.
Claims due to rescue efforts
The activist also denied reports that he sought payment from the administration of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde before participating in the rescue operations.
He claimed that state authorities had informed him that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the abducted children if he tried to intervene directly.
“Later they told me that they had warned the kidnappers that if I forced my way into the operation, they would kill all the children. If they really want to save these victims, they should let my men and I drive the criminals out of the forests,” he said.
Igboho added that the state government allegedly curtailed her work, despite having received federal approval for his proposed security organisation, the “Iru Ekun Security Network”.
The background of the kidnapping
The controversy follows the reported abduction of at least 45 students during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.
Affected institutions included the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Joint High School, Esiele; and LA Elementary School.
The incident has heightened security concerns across the state, with security agencies reportedly intensifying operations around the forest corridors connecting Oriire communities and the Old Oyo National Park area.
A Baptist nursery and primary school teacher, Elizabeth Olagoke, had earlier disclosed that the attackers communicated in Yoruba, Hausa and Pidgin English during the attack.
Tensions further escalated after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was allegedly killed by the kidnappers, sparking fresh calls for tighter security measures and swift action to ensure the release of the remaining victims.
Amid growing public concern, Igboho continued to advocate the introduction of his security network, Iru Ekun, insisting that the unit can help fight criminal elements operating in forests across the South West region.
Watch the video here…
“If the government gives me a chance to face these kidnappers, they will run away. They are human beings like me; they only have political support. Politicians are behind these terrorists. What they did during the Jonathan administration is what they are doing… pic.twitter.com/MsRaqcwqXQ
— 𝐀𝐬𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) June 4, 2026
