Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has threatened to reveal the identities of politicians allegedly sponsoring banditry and kidnappings in Oyo State if they fail to desist from their activities.
Igboho made the statement on Wednesday while receiving the newly elected executive members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by Akinteye Bàbàtunde, at his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan.
In a video that has since gained attention on social media, the activist claimed that he had volunteered to assist in rescuing students abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State but was prevented from doing so by the state government.
According to him, some politicians are allegedly providing financial support and ammunition to criminal groups operating in the region.
“If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are neither gnomes nor mannequins; they are humans, so that they could be dislodged. I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop perpetrating their evil acts, I will mention them all. I know them. The politicians behind them are the ones giving them ammunition and money,” he said.
Igboho further alleged that certain political actors were attempting to destabilise the administration of President Bola Tinubu by making the country difficult to govern.
“The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him. They even have fake news propaganda to scare the masses and divert supporters away from the President,” he stated.
The activist claimed that after offering to intervene in the rescue of the abducted students, the Oyo State Government informed him that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the victims if he attempted to launch a rescue operation.
“Later, they informed me that the kidnappers said if I try to force myself to come rescue the children, they will kill them all. If they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should tell my boys and me to chase them out of the forests in our regions and see if those people will remain there even with their bombs and sophisticated weapons,” he said.
Igboho also spoke about his proposed security outfit, the Iru Ekun Security Network, which he said received approval from the Federal Government but faced restrictions from the Oyo State Government.
“After I arranged Iru Ekun Security Network, the Federal Government permitted me, but the state government said no security must take a step behind them,” he said.
He maintained that his interest in the matter was driven by concern for the safety of residents and the abducted victims, insisting that stronger community-based security efforts were needed to combat criminal activities in the South-West.
The comments come amid growing concern over the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers during an attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School. Reports indicated that at least 45 pupils were taken by the attackers.
Security agencies subsequently launched operations around suspected escape routes leading to forest areas bordering Oriire communities and the Old Oyo National Park axis.
The situation worsened after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the kidnappers. A video allegedly released by the assailants showed the teacher tied up before he was killed, sparking outrage and renewed calls for decisive action against criminal groups.
Igboho has since reiterated his readiness to deploy the Iru Ekun Security Network to support efforts against insecurity in the region. He also expressed willingness to operate within the framework of the Executive Order recently introduced by Governor Seyi Makinde to regulate private security organisations in Oyo State.
As concerns over insecurity continue to grow, stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, community leaders and government authorities to secure the release of abductees and prevent further attacks on schools and communities.
