Several kidnapped residents have regained their freedom in Igboho, Oyo State, hours after Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, gave Fulani community leaders a two-hour deadline to secure their release or face consequences.
The dramatic development unfolded on Saturday after Mr Igboho convened a meeting with traditional rulers, community leaders and Fulani representatives over the rising wave of kidnappings and violent attacks in the town.
Speaking in Yoruba before a large gathering, Mr Igboho accused suspected kidnappers operating in the area of terrorising residents and challenged Fulani leaders to prove they had no links to the criminals by ensuring the immediate release of the abductees.
He specifically demanded the release of a woman, her child and her younger brother, warning that they must return safely within two hours.
“I am speaking on behalf of the people of Igboho and our traditional ruler. Inform those holding them that they must release them immediately,” he said in a video that has since circulated widely on social media.
Hours after the ultimatum expired, videos emerged showing jubilant residents celebrating the return of the abductees. Crowds lined the streets as the victims arrived, with chants, songs and applause echoing across the community.
The exact circumstances surrounding their release remain unclear, and security agencies have yet to explain whether negotiations, law enforcement operations or other interventions led to the outcome.
The incident has sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria, with many social media users linking the victims’ freedom to Mr Igboho’s public intervention. However, neither the Oyo State Government nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued an official statement on the incident at the time of filing this report.
Mr Igboho also recalled previous kidnapping incidents in the community, alleging that a pregnant woman was abducted, ransom was paid and both the victim and the ransom bearer were later killed. He cited the case as evidence of what he described as worsening insecurity in the area.
The latest incident has again drawn attention to growing concerns over kidnapping in parts of Oyo State and the increasing role community figures are playing in responding to security threats where residents believe official action has fallen short.
Mr Igboho first gained national prominence in 2021 after leading a campaign against criminal activities linked to suspected armed herders in the Ibarapa axis of Oyo State, a movement that sparked national debate over security, self-defence and the responsibilities of government.
