By: Manoah Kikekon
 |
| Sunday Igboho |
IGBOHO, OYO STATE — The sleepy town of Igboho in the Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State erupted in cheers and celebration this weekend as a kidnapped family, including a pregnant woman, her children, and a sibling, regained their freedom. The emotional homecoming occurred shortly after Yoruba activist Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, issued a decisive two-hour ultimatum to local community leaders regarding the abduction.
The incident, which had left the community in a state of heightened anxiety for several days, reached a dramatic turning point on Saturday. Residents were seen in viral social media clips singing and dancing as the victims returned to the safety of their homes.
The release followed a stern, public warning issued by Igboho during a meeting with community representatives and local leaders. Visibly frustrated by what he described as a growing wave of insecurity, kidnappings, and brutal killings in the region, Igboho did not mince words.
In a viral video capturing the confrontation, the activist criticized the alleged failure of local stakeholders to curtail criminal elements within their midst. He specifically addressed rumors of ransom negotiations that turned deadly, referencing the tragic murder of a victim’s relative who had attempted to deliver payment.
“The person who brought the ransom, you still killed him and spared only one person,” Igboho stated during the meeting. “Let this be the last time such a thing will happen.”
Setting a firm boundary, he added, “I am Sunday Igboho. I am calm because my fathers asked me to be calm with you. I give you people two hours to release the woman, her children and her sibling... If I don’t see them within the next two hours, we will face each other.”
The abduction had reportedly involved demands for a multi-million naira ransom, initially set at N300 million before being reduced to N150 million. The family’s ordeal had fueled widespread outrage, with many residents pointing to a pattern of recurring attacks on locals.
While the community celebrates the return of the captives, authorities are still working to piece together the full circumstances of the release. The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed that they are in possession of the viral footage and have launched a formal investigation into the security threats and the broader allegations of organized kidnapping syndicates operating in the area.