Fresh confusion has emerged over the fate of victims abducted in Igbope, Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State, after both the local council chairman and the Oyo State Police Command dismissed reports suggesting that the captives had been freed.
The claims followed a video circulating on social media on Saturday evening showing large crowds of residents singing and dancing with Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, with the claim that the captives has been set free by the self-defendant regional freedom fighter.
The jubilation which was described as a celebration of the release of the victims, showed a woman, her children, and a sibling, rejoicing with the large crowd.
They were said to be released following Igboho’s issuance of a two-hour ultimatum to suspected kidnappers and Fulani community leaders, demanding their release.
Drama however emerged when both local and state authorities came out to refute these reports.
In a statement on Sunday, the Oorelope Local Government Chairman, Jacob Ogundiran, described the claims as false and misleading.
“The attention of the Oorelope Local Government Area leadership has been drawn to circulating rumors and unverified reports claiming the release of the kidnapping victims.
According to Jacob, he state authoritatively that these reports are false and misleading, establishing that the victims are still in captivity, and urge the public to discountenance any information to the contrary unless it comes from credible sources,” the statement read.
Ogundiran assured that security agencies at state and local levels are intensifying efforts to secure the victims’ safe rescue, while commending community leaders, residents, and stakeholders for providing intelligence and support. He emphasised that the protection of lives and property remains a top priority.
The spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, also debunked claims that the hostages had been released or that Igboho played any 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.
