By Shero Abbas
Claim
A social media user claimed that Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has seured the release of students kidnapped in Oyo State.
VerdictÂ
False. Available evidence from both the Oyo State Police Command and the Oorelope Local Government Council shows that the kidnapped victims had not been rescued as of the time the viral video circulated.
Full Text
The claim emerged after a video circulated widely on social media showing large crowds celebrating with Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho in Igboho, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Several posts accompanying the video alleged that kidnapped victims, including Mrs. Kuburat Omowumi and her son, had regained their freedom after Igboho issued a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani community leaders in the area.
The victims were abducted during a midnight attack on June 16, 2026. Reports indicated that the kidnappers initially demanded N300 million in ransom before allegedly reducing the amount to N150 million. The incident generated widespread concern among residents and prompted calls for urgent intervention.
Following the abduction, Sunday Igboho publicly condemned the growing insecurity in the area and warned those allegedly involved in kidnapping activities. In a viral video, he accused some members of the Fulani community of being linked to abductions and killings and demanded the immediate release of captives.
As celebrations seen in another viral video spread online, many social media users interpreted the gathering as confirmation that the abducted victims had been released.
Verification
To verify the claim, statements issued by both security authorities and local government officials were examined.
The Oyo State Police Command, through its spokesperson CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, officially denied reports that the victims had been rescued. The command described the claim as false, unfounded, and misleading, stressing that efforts to rescue the abductees were still ongoing.
According to the police, intelligence-led operations involving multiple security agencies were being intensified to ensure the safe return of the victims and the arrest of those responsible for the kidnapping.
Similarly, the Chairman of Oorelope Local Government, Jacob Ogundiran, dismissed the reports of the victims’ release. In an official statement, he clarified that the abductees remained in captivity and urged members of the public to disregard unverified information circulating online.
Neither the police nor the local government confirmed any successful rescue operation, and no independent evidence was found to support the claim that the victims had been released.
Conclusion
The claim that Sunday Igboho secured the release of Mrs. Kuburat Omowumi, her son, and other kidnapped victims in Igboho is false. Official statements from both the Oyo State Police Command and Oorelope Local Government confirmed that the victims remained in captivity.