The Oyo State Police Command dismissed reports suggesting that the kidnapped victims in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, had been freed.
The claims came after a video surfaced on social media on Saturday showing massive groups of residents chanting and dancing with Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho.
The joy was reported as a celebration of the victims’ release: a mother, her children, and a sibling.
They were alleged to have been released after Igboho issued a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani community elders, demanding their release.
However, both local and state authorities have disputed these reports.
In a statement on Sunday, the Oorelope Local Government chairman, Jacob Ogundiran, condemned the charges as untrue and deceptive.
“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 assured that state and local security agencies are stepping up efforts to ensure the victims’ safe rescue and praised community leaders, residents, and stakeholders for their intelligence and support. He emphasised that the safety of people and property remains a top priority.
DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, also denied that the hostages had been released or that Igboho played a role in their rescue.
“Whatever the activist is doing, if the said victims are still in captivity, I don’t know. Efforts are ongoing to rescue them.
“Meanwhile, the victims were not even kidnapped in Igboho. They were kidnapped at Igbope,” he told our correspondent in a phone call.
The kidnap happened during a midnight attack when gunmen kidnapped members of a family.
The abductors initially reportedly demanded N300 million in ransom, later reducing it to N150 million.
Following the event, Igboho issued a harsh warning to suspected Fulani community leaders in the area about the increased number of kidnappings and instability.
In a previous viral video, Igboho was seen addressing community representatives and traditional elders, expressing his outrage over suspected deaths and abductions in the area.
He accused some Fulani members of kidnapping citizens, citing incidences involving a pregnant woman and ransom negotiations that allegedly went lethal.
“The person who brought the ransom, you still killed him and spared only one person,” he said, while warning that such incidents must not repeat.
Igboho also announced a two-hour deadline for the release of the other abducted victims, emphasising that he had exercised restraint in response to traditional authorities’ appeal.
“I am Sunday Igboho. I am calm because my father asked me to be calm with you. Let this be the last time such a thing will happen,” he said.
He also warned that failure to comply would trigger decisive action, including threats of entering suspected hideouts linked to the kidnappings.
After the ultimatum, videos from the community showed ecstatic residents celebrating what was reported as the release of the abducted family, though authorities have since denied the claims.
