June 4 (THEWILL) — Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has alleged that he was prevented from participating in efforts to rescue abducted schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, while also threatening to expose politicians he claimed are sponsoring kidnappers operating in the state.
Igboho made the allegations on Wednesday while receiving newly elected executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by Akinteye Babatunde, at his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan.
Speaking in a now-trending video reportedly captured by Wisdom TV, the activist claimed that some politicians were providing financial support and arms to criminal elements involved in kidnapping activities. He warned that he would publicly identify those allegedly behind the crimes if the situation persists.
“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”, Igboho stated.
He claimed he had volunteered to assist in rescue efforts following the abduction of pupils in Oriire Local Government Area, but was allegedly prevented from intervening by the Oyo State Government.
According to him, authorities later informed him that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the victims if he attempted to force his way into the 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 I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are neither gnomes nor mannequins; they are humans, so they could be dislodged”, he added.
The Yoruba Nation agitator further alleged that despite securing federal approval for his security outfit, Iru Ekun, state authorities discouraged him from deploying members of the outfit in the operation.
“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 claimed.
Questioning the approach adopted in handling the security challenge, he argued that local intervention and forest operations could help drive criminal elements out of affected areas.
“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 linked the security situation to what he described as a larger political agenda allegedly to undermine the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Drawing comparisons with the challenges faced by former President Goodluck Jonathan during his administration, he alleged that some individuals were attempting to create instability around the current government.
“The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him”, he noted.
He further defended his support for Tinubu, noting that the President had played a role in securing his freedom while he was in exile.
“It was Tinubu who freed me when I was in exile. Why should I tackle him? And why are they trying to ruin his government?” he asked.
Igboho also alleged that coordinated misinformation campaigns were being used to instill fear among citizens and weaken support for the government.
“They even have fake news propaganda to scare the masses and divert supporters away from the President”, he said.
His comments come amid heightened concerns over insecurity following the reported abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers during attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, an incident that sparked public outrage and renewed calls for improved security across the country.
As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government had not publicly responded to the allegations raised by Igboho, while security agencies were yet to comment on claims regarding the alleged sponsorship of kidnappers by politicians.
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