Why FG rejected terrorists’ demands in Oriire abduction, Sunday Igboho reveals

By Adejayan Gbenga

Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has said the Federal Government declined to meet the demands of terrorists who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State because doing so would have encouraged criminality and strengthened the operations of armed groups across the country.

In a statement issued on Saturday through his media office, Igboho said the administration of President Bola Tinubu maintained that paying ransom or releasing detained terrorists in exchange for the victims’ freedom would have emboldened criminal groups, funded further acts of violence and undermined ongoing efforts to combat insecurity nationwide.

He made the remarks following the release of pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle; LA Primary School; and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, who regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity. Their rescue followed what authorities described as a coordinated security operation.

Igboho commended President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and other security agencies for what he described as intelligence-driven efforts that secured the victims’ release. According to him, the successful operation has restored public confidence in the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling insecurity.

“I want to commend the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the military, the Police, Department of State Security and other paramilitary agencies for their painstaking efforts, which resulted in freedom for the pupils and their teachers. This development not only brought relief and joy to their distraught families, it has also rekindled hope of the citizenry in the commitment of the Federal Government to tackle criminality and ensure a safe and secure environment,” he said.

The activist also praised the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd), the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Department of State Services and other security chiefs for their collaboration. He added that President Tinubu remained committed to securing the victims’ freedom throughout the period of their captivity.

Furthermore, Igboho expressed confidence that the Federal Government would sustain its partnership with local security organisations to dismantle criminal networks operating in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State and other parts of the South-West. He said the continued collaboration would help guarantee the safety of residents and farmers in the affected communities.

He also sympathised with families who lost loved ones during the abduction, particularly the family of teacher Michael Oyedokun, who was killed while in captivity. Igboho expressed hope that strengthened security measures would prevent similar incidents and improve the protection of schools and rural communities.