The local council chairman in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State and the Oyo State Police Command have both dismissed reports that the abducted victims had been freed.
The pushback came after a video on Saturday showed large crowds singing and dancing with Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho. The scene was widely described as a celebration of the release of a woman, her children, and a sibling — allegedly freed after Igboho gave a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani community leaders.
But, both local and state authorities say that story is not true.
In a statement on Sunday, Oorelope Local Government Chairman Jacob Ogundiran called the claims false and misleading. He said: “The attention of the Oorelope Local Government Area leadership has been drawn to circulating rumours and unverified reports claiming the release of the kidnapping victims. “We state authoritatively that these reports are false and misleading. The victims are still in captivity, and we urge the public to discountenance any information to the contrary unless it comes from credible sources,” the statement read.
Ogundiran added that security agencies at state and local levels are stepping up efforts to secure the victims’ safe rescue, and he praised community leaders, residents and stakeholders for their intelligence and support, stressing that protecting lives and property is a top priority.
The Oyo State Police spokesperson, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, also debunked claims that the hostages had been released or that Igboho played a role in any rescue.
