12/07/2026
Yoruba nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, said the Nigerian government refused to pay ransom to secure the release of teachers and pupils abducted in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, arguing that yielding to kidnappers would encourage further criminal activities.
In a statement issued through his media office, Igboho said the administration of President Bola Tinubu adopted a non-ransom approach to avoid financing armed groups and discouraging future kidnappings.
He credited the successful release of the victims to intelligence-led operations by the Nigerian military, police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies, describing their efforts as coordinated and effective.
"I want to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the military, the Police, the DSS and other paramilitary agencies for their painstaking efforts, which resulted in the freedom of the pupils and their teachers," the statement said.
Igboho added that the government would continue working with local security outfits to combat criminal networks operating in Oke-Ogun and other parts of southwest Nigeria, with the aim of improving security for farmers and rural communities.
He also paid tribute to victims who died during the abduction, including teacher Michael Oyedokun, who was reportedly beheaded while in captivity.
The statement reflects Igboho's account of the government's response. Nigerian authorities had not immediately issued a statement confirming his remarks on the ransom policy. #๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ก๐จ #๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ #๐๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ #๐๐ฒ๐จ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐