Residents of Igboho and its environs in Oyo State have been thrown into a mood of widespread celebration and relief after a family that was kidnapped in the area was reportedly set free. The group, which comprised a pregnant woman, her young children and a sibling, regained their freedom following a two-hour ultimatum issued by prominent Yoruba activist and community leader, Sunday Adeyemo, better known to the public as Sunday Igboho. Videos circulating across various social media platforms show large crowds of people gathering in the community, singing traditional songs, dancing and expressing gratitude as they welcomed the victims back home. The scenes of jubilation have been described by onlookers as a sign of hope and renewed optimism for safety in the area.
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This development comes after weeks of growing anxiety over rising cases of insecurity, particularly kidnapping and related criminal activities that have affected residents and communities across parts of Oyo State. In the days leading up to the release, Sunday Igboho had issued strong public warnings addressed to suspected leaders of Fulani communities operating in the region, calling for an end to the attacks and abductions that have disrupted lives and livelihoods. Speaking in a widely distributed video clip that has since gained significant attention, the activist addressed representatives of various communities and traditional rulers, conveying deep anger and concern over the wave of violence being experienced. He pointed to specific incidents that had caused public outcry, including cases where innocent citizens were taken against their will, and situations where efforts to secure their release through negotiations ended in tragedy.
According to his remarks, some of the most distressing cases involved vulnerable individuals, including pregnant women and families who were seized from their homes or places of work. He highlighted how attempts to pay ransoms or make arrangements for the safe return of victims had at times resulted in further loss of life, leaving families devastated and communities living in constant fear.
“When someone comes to pay the ransom to secure the release of their loved ones, you still kill that person and leave only one member of the group alive,” he stated firmly, his voice carrying the weight of frustration and determination. “This kind of behaviour cannot and will not be allowed to continue. We cannot keep losing people this way, and we cannot live in constant fear of being taken away or harmed.”
It was against this backdrop that Sunday Igboho issued his two-hour ultimatum, giving clear instructions that all persons still being held captive must be released immediately and unconditionally. He explained that he had chosen to exercise great patience and restraint for a long period, acting on repeated appeals and requests from traditional leaders and elders who had pleaded with him to avoid taking drastic steps.
“I am Sunday Igboho,” he affirmed in his address. “I have kept my peace and maintained calm because our fathers and leaders asked me to do so, and because I wanted to give everyone enough time to do the right thing. But let this be the final warning — let this be the last time such terrible things happen in our communities.”
He went on to outline the consequences that would follow if his demands were not met within the given timeframe, making it clear that decisive action would be taken to address the situation. He stated that if the release was not carried out as required, measures would be put in place to enter areas believed to be hiding places of the criminals linked to the abductions, adding that no one would be allowed to continue to terrorise innocent people.
In response to the ultimatum, the events that followed have brought much comfort to the people of the area. Footage from the community shows residents coming together in large numbers, expressing joy over the safe return of the family members who were held captive. The atmosphere is described as one of mixed emotions — relief that the victims are safe, and hope that the development signals a turning point in the fight against insecurity in the region.
However, while the release has been welcomed by many, official details surrounding the exact circumstances that led to the freedom of the victims, the terms of any agreement that may have been reached, and the full scope of actions taken to secure their release remain partially unclear at the time of filing this report. Authorities and community leaders are still working to gather complete information on all aspects of the incident, and to confirm whether all other persons who are still missing or held captive have also been released as part of the resolution.
The situation continues to attract attention across the state and beyond, with many people watching closely to see whether the positive development will lead to lasting improvements in security and stability across the affected communities. Residents hope that this event will serve as a reminder of the need for peace, dialogue and respect for human life, and that all parties involved will work together to ensure that such incidents do not occur again in the future.
