Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has alleged that some politicians are sponsoring the kidnappers behind the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. He spoke on Wednesday, June 4, 2026, while receiving a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students led by NANS President Akinteye Babatunde at his Ibadan residence.

Igboho claimed he knows the identities of the political actors allegedly financing and arming the criminal gangs. He warned that if the abductions continue, he will publicly reveal their names. “I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop perpetrating their evil acts, I will mention them all. They are the ones giving them ammunition and money,” he said.

The activist said his security outfit, Iru Ekun Security Network, has the capacity to confront the kidnappers in their forest hideouts. He told the students’ leaders that he met with the Minister of Defence and volunteered to lead a rescue operation, insisting the kidnappers are humans who would flee if dislodged. “If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are neither gnomes nor mannequins,” he stated.

However, Igboho alleged that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has withheld permission for his team to intervene. According to him, state officials later informed him that the abductors threatened to kill all victims if he attempted a forceful rescue. “Governor Seyi Makinde knows I have the capacity to rescue the Oriire victims, so why hasn’t he granted me permission?” he asked. He added that while his network received federal approval, the state government disapproved its deployment.

The May 15, 2026 attack on multiple schools in Oriire LGA led to the abduction of at least 39 pupils and 7 teachers, with one teacher later killed. The incident has triggered protests by teachers’ unions, NUT, NLC and NANS demanding urgent government action. President Bola Tinubu has since condemned the abductions as “baric” and pledged federal support for rescue operations.

Sources verified: Vanguard News, TheCable, Arise News.