The Oyo State Police Command has refuted online claims linking Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, to the purported freeing of kidnapped victims in Igboho community, Oorelope Local Government Area.
Reacting to a wave of viral videos and social media posts, the Command stated that there is no official confirmation that the abducted family has regained freedom, nor any verified link between Igboho and the supposed rescue effort.
“The Nigeria Police Force has officially debunked claims that the hostages have been safely released,” the Command said in its statement, adding that the state’s Commissioner of Police has not validated any reports tying Igboho to an actual operation.
The police clarification comes amid widespread excitement triggered by reports that a woman, her children, and a relative — all abducted during a midnight raid by gunmen — had been set free shortly after Igboho gave a two-hour ultimatum demanding their release, warning of consequences should the deadline pass unmet.
Following the ultimatum, unconfirmed online accounts suggested the victims had been freed, sparking jubilation and emotional outpourings among residents of the community.
The kidnapping had earlier plunged the area into fear after armed men reportedly stormed the community at night, seized members of a family, and initially demanded a ransom of ₦300 million, later said to have been negotiated down to ₦150 million. Anxiety heightened further amid unverified claims that a pregnant woman and a ransom courier may have lost their lives during the saga.
In videos that circulated widely, Igboho condemned the surge in kidnapping incidents across the region and issued sharp warnings to those he accused of shielding criminal elements within their communities.
Despite the swirling claims, the Oyo Police Command stood firm in its position, with spokesperson DSP Olayinka Ayanlade insisting that the reports making the rounds online remain unverified and should not be regarded as official.
As at press time, the fate of the abducted family remained unclear, with conflicting narratives continuing to circulate both offline and across social media platforms.