…Says Politicians Funding Armed Groups Behind School Attacks
… Warns He Will Publicly Name Them If Violence Continues
Daud Olatunji
The Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has threatened to expose politicians allegedly backing kidnappers behind the abduction of schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Igboho, who spoke during a meeting with new executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Ibadan, alleged that some political actors were sponsoring armed groups, supplying them with weapons and funds to destabilise parts of the country.
The controversy comes amid rising tension following the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire LGA, an attack that has further heightened fears over school safety in Oyo State.
In a trending video, Igboho claimed he was ready to lead an operation against the kidnappers in their forest hideouts but alleged that his intervention was resisted by the state government.
“If I am permitted to burst into their hideouts, they will flee. They are humans, not spirits. I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop, I will mention them all. They are the ones giving them ammunition and money,” he said.
He further claimed that he had volunteered to assist in rescuing the abducted pupils but was warned against the move, allegedly on the grounds that the kidnappers threatened to kill the victims if a forceful rescue attempt was made.
Igboho insisted he never demanded any financial reward from the Oyo State Government, stressing that his involvement was driven solely by concern for the abducted children and teachers.
He also referenced his private security initiative, “Iru Ekun Security Network,” claiming it had obtained federal approval but was being hindered by state-level resistance.
Meanwhile, the development has triggered fresh political reactions, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, calling for Igboho’s immediate invitation by the Department of State Services and other security agencies.
Ibe argued that if Igboho truly possesses useful information, such intelligence should be formally extracted and acted upon to aid ongoing rescue operations.
“Since Sunday Igboho claims to know those behind the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State, the DSS and other security agencies need to invite him to release those names,” he said.
He added that all credible leads must be pursued to ensure the safe rescue of abducted pupils and the dismantling of criminal networks operating across the South-West and other parts of the country.
Security sources said operatives are currently combing forest reserves around the Old Oyo National Park axis in search of the abductors, who reportedly fled after the attack on three schools — Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School.
The Oriire incident, which later saw the killing of one abducted teacher, has continued to fuel public outrage and deepen concerns over the safety of schools in the region.
Igboho, however, maintained that criminal groups behind such attacks are not invincible, insisting that only decisive action could dislodge them from forest strongholds.
The latest exchange has further intensified debate over insecurity, intelligence handling, and alleged political involvement in kidnapping operations, as pressure mounts on authorities to secure the release of remaining victims.
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