Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has claimed he knows the politicians allegedly backing criminal groups responsible for recent kidnappings in Oyo State and threatened to reveal their identities if the attacks continue.
Igboho made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing the newly elected executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by Akinteye Babatunde, at his residence in Ibadan.
In a video that has since circulated widely on social media, the activist alleged that some politicians were providing financial support and weapons to bandits operating in parts of the country.
He claimed he had offered to assist in efforts to rescue students abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State but was prevented from doing so by the state government.
According to Igboho, he never requested financial support from the Oyo State Government to participate in rescue operations.
He further alleged that authorities informed him that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the victims if he attempted to intervene.
Igboho maintained that criminal groups operating in forests across the South-West could be dislodged if local security efforts were allowed to operate without restrictions.
The activist also linked the security challenges to what he described as attempts by political actors to destabilize the administration of President Bola Tinubu, though he did not provide evidence to support the claim.
He reiterated his call for the deployment of his proposed security outfit, known as the Iru Ekun Security Network, saying it could help flush out criminal elements from forests in the region.
According to him, while he had secured federal approval for the initiative, the Oyo State Government had not permitted its operation within the state.
The comments come amid growing concern over insecurity in Oyo State following the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers during attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area in May.
The incident drew national attention after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed while others remained in captivity.
Security agencies have continued efforts to track down the kidnappers, while authorities have increased surveillance around forest corridors and suspected escape routes in affected areas.
Neither the Oyo State Government nor security agencies had publicly responded to Igboho’s allegations as of the time of filing this report.
