Residents of Igboho in Oyo State erupted in celebration after a kidnapped family, including a pregnant woman, her children and a sibling, reportedly regained their freedom following a two-hour ultimatum issued by Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
Videos circulating on social media on Saturday showed jubilant residents singing, dancing and welcoming the victims back to the community amid widespread relief over their release.
The development came hours after Igboho issued a stern warning to suspected Fulani community leaders in the area over the rising wave of kidnappings and insecurity affecting residents.
In an earlier viral video, the activist was seen addressing community representatives and traditional leaders, expressing outrage over what he described as persistent cases of abduction and killings in parts of the area.
Igboho accused some members of the Fulani community of involvement in kidnapping activities and referred to incidents involving a pregnant woman and ransom negotiations that allegedly ended in tragedy.
“The person who brought the ransom, you still killed him and spared only one person,” he said while warning that such incidents should never be repeated.
The activist subsequently issued a two-hour ultimatum for the release of other abducted victims, stressing that he had exercised restraint following appeals by traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the community.
Although the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release remained unclear as of the time of filing this report, the development sparked celebrations across Igboho, with residents hailing the return of the family members.
Security agencies had yet to officially comment on the release, while details regarding possible arrests or the identities of those responsible for the abduction were not immediately available.
