Yoruba nation activist Sunday Igboho has threatened to expose the identities of politicians he accuses of financing and arming the bandits behind the Oriire school abductions in Oyo State.
Speaking during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President on Wednesday, Igboho alleged that the kidnappers are not acting alone but have the backing of powerful political figures.
“These terrorists are not aliens; they have the backup of some politicians. They are the ones giving them money and ammunitions,” Igboho said.
He issued a direct warning to those behind the support: “If the politicians behind them don’t stop, I am going to name all of them because I know them.”
The activist, who runs the ‘Iru Ekun’ Security Network, claimed he has the capacity to rescue the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from multiple schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026. One teacher was confirmed killed during the attack.
However, Igboho said he has been blocked by the Oyo State Government from intervening.
“Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde knows I have the capacity to rescue the Oriire kidnapping victims, so why hasn’t he granted me permission?” he asked. “I established the ‘Iru Ekun’ Security Network with Federal Government approval, but the state government disapproved.”
He further vowed that if given the authority, he would confront the kidnappers directly. “If I’m given the opportunity to face these bandits… I’ll flush them out,” he assured.
Igboho also drew a political parallel, alleging: “They are trying to do what they did to Jonathan to Tinubu.”
The abduction has sparked widespread outrage, with teachers’ unions and youth groups staging protests demanding urgent action. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has described the prolonged captivity of the victims as “barbaric and unacceptable.”
In response to the crisis, President Bola Tinubu has condemned the abductions as “barbaric” and deployed a specialised rescue team to Oyo State. The President has also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to support security agencies in the state.
A high-powered federal delegation, including senior security officials, has been dispatched to Oriire to coordinate rescue efforts.
Governor Seyi Makinde has acknowledged that federal security operatives have been working with state officials for weeks, though he has not responded directly to Igboho’s latest allegations.
Public school attendance has dropped in some communities as fear of further attacks continues to spread across the state.
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