Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has vowed to expose politicians he claims are sponsoring criminal activities and kidnappings in Oyo State if they fail to stop their alleged involvement.
Igboho made the declaration while receiving newly elected executives of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by President Akinteye Babatunde, at his residence in Ibadan.
Speaking in a video shared by Wisdom TV, the activist expressed frustration over the handling of the recent abduction of students in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to him, he was willing to personally lead efforts to rescue the victims but was prevented from doing so by the state government.
He maintained that he never requested financial support from Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration for any rescue operation involving the 47 kidnapped victims.
“If I am allowed to enter their hideouts, they will run. They are human beings, not spirits. I know the politicians behind them, and if they refuse to stop these evil acts, I will expose them publicly. They are the ones supplying the kidnappers with money and ammunition,” he said.
Igboho disclosed that he was later informed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill the abducted children if he attempted to intervene.
“They told me the kidnappers warned that if I force my way into the forest to rescue the children, they would kill them all. If the authorities are truly committed to rescuing the victims, they should allow my men and me to clear these criminals from our forests and see whether they can withstand us, regardless of the weapons they possess,” he added.
The activist also linked the country’s current security and political challenges to what he described as attempts by certain forces to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“The same tactics used against former President Goodluck Jonathan are being used against Tinubu. Some people want to make the country ungovernable for him. They spread fake news and propaganda to create fear among Nigerians and turn supporters against the President,” he said.
Referring to the recent student abduction in Oyo State, Igboho questioned why he was prevented from assisting in the rescue efforts despite volunteering to help.
“They abducted children in Oyo State. I offered to go after the kidnappers, but the state government told me not to. If they are serious about ending this menace, they should allow us to confront these criminals directly,” he said.
Igboho further revealed that although the Federal Government approved his security outfit, the Iru Ekun Security Network, the Oyo State Government has continued to restrict its operations, citing concerns that any intervention could put the lives of the abducted children at risk.
“After establishing Iru Ekun, the Federal Government gave its approval. However, the state government insisted that no security agency should work with us. Are we supposed to sit back and watch criminals continue terrorising our people?” he asked.
He also defended his support for President Tinubu, recalling that the President played a key role in securing his freedom while he was in exile.
“Whatever anyone may say about former President Buhari, he completed his tenure. Why are some people determined to stop a Yoruba man, Tinubu, from completing his own? Tinubu stood by me when I was in exile. Why should I oppose him, and why are some people trying so hard to destabilise his government?” he said.
Despite the challenges, Igboho reiterated his commitment to launching the Iru Ekun Security Network as part of efforts to combat criminal activities in the forests across the South-West region.
He also expressed his willingness to comply with the Executive Order recently introduced by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to regulate the activities of private security organisations operating within Oyo State.
