Conflicting reports have
continued to surround the fate of victims abducted in Igboho, Oorelope Local
Government Area of Oyo State, as both local authorities and the police have
denied claims that the captives have regained their freedom.
The controversy followed
widespread reports and viral social media posts suggesting that the victims
were released after Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, allegedly issued a
two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani community leaders in the
area.
According to the reports,
the abducted victims, said to include a woman, her children, and a sibling,
were freed shortly after Igboho threatened to confront those responsible if
they failed to release them within the stipulated time.
The claims sparked
celebrations in parts of Igboho town, with videos circulating online showing
residents singing, dancing, and rejoicing over what was believed to be the
successful rescue of the victims.
However, the Chairman of
Oorelope Local Government, Jacob Ogundiran, has dismissed the reports as false,
insisting that the victims remain in captivity.
In a statement issued on
Sunday, Ogundiran urged members of the public to disregard unverified
information concerning the victims’ release.
“The kidnapped victims are
yet to regain their freedom. We urge members of the public to disregard any
information suggesting otherwise unless it comes from official and credible
sources,” he stated.
The council chairman
explained that security agencies at both the state and local levels are
actively working to secure the safe rescue of the victims and have continued to
deploy necessary resources and strategies toward achieving that objective.
He expressed confidence in
the ongoing collaboration among security agencies, community leaders,
stakeholders, and concerned residents who have provided intelligence and other
forms of support to aid rescue efforts.
“The protection of lives and
property remains a top priority, and no effort will be spared in ensuring the
safe return of the victims,” Ogundiran added, while appealing for calm and
responsible dissemination of information.
The position of the council
chairman was echoed by the Oyo State Police Command, which also rejected
reports linking the alleged release of the victims to any intervention by
Sunday Igboho.
Reacting to viral claims
online, the police maintained that there was no official confirmation that the
hostages had been rescued and stated that no evidence exists connecting Igboho
to any rescue operation.
“The Nigeria Police Force
has officially debunked claims that the hostages have been safely released,”
the command stated, adding that the Commissioner of Police had also denied
reports suggesting Igboho played a role in any rescue mission.
Confirming the command’s
stance, the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade,
reiterated that reports of the victims’ release remained unverified.
The development follows a
strongly worded warning issued by Sunday Igboho, who accused criminal elements
of turning Igboho town into a hotspot for kidnapping activities.
In a viral video, the
activist alleged that some members of the Fulani community were shielding those
responsible for the abductions and demanded the immediate release of the
victims.
He issued a two-hour
ultimatum for the release of the captives and warned of consequences if they
were not freed within the specified period.
The abduction had earlier
generated outrage within the community after gunmen reportedly kidnapped
members of a family during a midnight attack and demanded a ransom running into
hundreds of millions of naira.
Reports indicated that the
kidnappers initially demanded ?300 million before reducing the amount to ?150
million during negotiations.
While residents had
celebrated reports of a successful rescue, authorities insist that there is
currently no official confirmation that the victims have been released, urging
the public to remain calm and rely only on verified information as rescue efforts
continue.
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