Igboho: I’ll Name Politicians Backing Ogbomoso Kidnappers, I Can Rescue Pupils But Makinde Has Withheld Permission
Sunday Igboho says he knows politicians backing Ogbomoso kidnappers and may reveal their identities; claims he’ll rescue schoolchildren if Makinde grants permission.
Sunday Igboho says he knows politicians backing Ogbomoso kidnappers and may reveal their identities; claims he’ll rescue schoolchildren if Makinde grants permission.
Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has said he will reveal the identities of politicians he claims are supporting the kidnappers responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Igboho made the claim while receiving newly elected executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by Akinteye Babatunde, at his residence in Ibadan. He alleged that some members of the political class were providing support to criminal groups operating in the state and warned that he would name them if the attacks continued.
“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.
The activist said the kidnappers could be driven out of their hideouts if security efforts were intensified. He also claimed he had volunteered to join efforts to rescue the abducted victims.
“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,” he said.
Igboho alleged that the Oyo State Government did not approve his involvement in rescue efforts. According to him, state officials later informed him that the abductors had threatened to kill the victims if he attempted to intervene.
“Later, they (Oyo government) 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.
He also claimed that despite receiving federal approval for his security outfit, Iru Ekun Security Network, the group was prevented from taking part in operations within the state.
“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. Do we have to wait for him to flood the forests to rescue these children?” he said.
Igboho further linked the security situation to what he described as efforts by some individuals to create challenges for the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
“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. Suppose the recent abduction is not a game. In Oyo, they made away with children. I volunteered to go, but the state government said ‘No,’” he said.
Igboho’s remarks add to the debate over how best to tackle kidnapping and insecurity in parts of Oyo State following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire.
