One week after Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, announced his decision to rescue kidnapped victims in his hometown of Igboho, Oyo State, and led his team into the Old Oyo National Park, the operation has reportedly faced several obstacles and controversies.
According to The Nation, Igboho, who has become known in the South-West for his strong stance against insecurity, had issued a two-hour ultimatum during a meeting at the palace of Ona Onibode, Oba AbdulRasheed Adetoyese, demanding the release of victims allegedly abducted in Igbope, a community near Igboho.
He alleged that some members of the Fulani community were connected to the abduction, which reportedly involved a pregnant woman who later died while in captivity. Igboho warned that if the victims were not released, he would take steps to confront suspected kidnappers operating in the area.
After the palace meeting, videos emerged online showing residents celebrating, creating the impression that the abducted victims had regained their freedom. However, the police and local government authorities later denied the reports, stating that the victims were still being held by their abductors.
Sources claimed that Igboho’s reaction was driven by frustration after his team allegedly traced the kidnappers using phone signals but later lost track of their movements. The abductors were said to have moved the victims from one location to another after discovering they were being tracked.
The activist was later said to have held discussions with Fulani leaders, urging them to help secure the victims’ release within two hours. However, the effort reportedly did not produce the desired outcome.
Following the failed attempt, Igboho entered the Old Oyo National Park with more than 40 men, alongside local hunters and vigilante groups, in an effort to locate the victims and apprehend those behind the abduction.
The park, which covers parts of Oyo and Kwara states, is surrounded by communities such as Igboho and Igbope. The region has also experienced increased activities involving miners and herders, especially due to illegal mining operations and other activities that have contributed to rising security concerns.
Reports also indicated that Igboho was displeased by an interview granted by a traditional ruler from his hometown to an international media organisation. The monarch’s comments reportedly suggested that the rescue mission had not been successful and that the kidnappers were still demanding a ransom of N150 million.
Sources said Igboho later assured his men that he would not allow disappointment or frustration to weaken his determination to rescue the victims and protect his people from criminal elements.
He was also reported to have visited nearby towns, including Kishi and Igbeti, where the kidnappers were initially traced to an area known as Bani.
It was learnt that the difficult and dangerous nature of the thick forest terrain made it impossible for the team to camp there or remain in the area for 24 hours. As a result, Igboho decided to stay at a private hospitality facility in the town while continuing efforts to locate the victims.
“There are over 20,000 herders of different Fulani groups in the forest. The team encountered hundreds of these nomads who appeared harmless in the day but could become something else at night.
“Therefore, staying or camping in the thick forest is dangerous, as the team lacks basic operational logistics and equipment to protect personnel at night from wild animals.
“It is for this reason that Igboho has lodged the rescue team in a hotel for safety reasons.
‘’The team returned to town late Monday night. Yet, in the early hours of Tuesday, alaye (Igboho) hurriedly had a meal of pap at the front of the hotel and quickly led his team into the forest to continue the search.
“He has been an inspiration to his team because, despite his life of affluence, he is the one leading the rescue operation without the support of any tiers of government and security agencies,’’ a vigilante source said.