Residents of Igboho in Orelope Local Government Area of Oyo State erupted in celebration on Saturday following the reported release of a family allegedly abducted by kidnappers in the community.
The victims, said to include a pregnant woman, her children and a sibling, reportedly regained their freedom just hours after Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, issued a two-hour ultimatum demanding their release.
Videos circulating on social media showed excited residents trooping into the streets, singing and dancing as news of the family’s return spread across the town.
Although the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release remain unclear, the development came amid heightened tensions over rising insecurity and kidnapping incidents in the area.
Prior to the reported release, Sunday Igboho had confronted leaders of the Fulani community in Igboho over allegations linking some individuals to kidnappings and violent attacks on residents. He accused suspected kidnappers of escalating insecurity and expressed outrage over reports that a pregnant woman and a person who allegedly delivered ransom money were killed during the ordeal.
“The person who brought the ransom, you still killed him and spared only one person,” the activist said while addressing community leaders.
Igboho warned that kidnapping and killings would no longer be tolerated in the community, stressing that he had remained restrained only because of appeals from traditional rulers.
“I am Sunday Igboho. I am calm because my fathers asked me to be calm with you. Let this be the last time such a thing will happen,” he declared.
He subsequently issued a two-hour deadline for the release of the remaining abducted persons, warning of consequences if the captives were not freed. He also threatened to take action against locations he alleged were being used as hideouts by those responsible for the kidnappings.
The reported release of the victims has since sparked celebrations across Igboho, with residents expressing relief over the family’s safe return. Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident as investigations continue.