Bolatito Mercy
Yoruba nation activist Sunday Igboho has stirred fresh controversy after alleging that some politicians in Oyo State are financially backing kidnappers operating in the region. Speaking in a video message that has since gone viral, he claimed that the recent spike in abductions along highways and rural communities is not just the work of criminals, but is being sponsored by powerful individuals with political interests. According to him, these politicians allegedly provide money, logistics, and protection to abductors in exchange for using insecurity as a tool to destabilize opponents and create fear ahead of future elections. He said he has gathered names and evidence and is ready to disclose them if the attacks continue.
Igboho’s statement comes against the backdrop of several reported kidnappings in Oyo and neighboring states, where victims have been taken along major roads and released only after ransom payments. Residents and transport unions have repeatedly complained that the Oyo-Ogbomoso and Ibadan-Lagos routes have become dangerous, with travelers often forced to pay huge sums to secure their release. The activist argued that the pattern of attacks suggests coordination rather than random criminality, and that only people with political influence and financial resources can sustain such operations. He insisted that his concern is for ordinary citizens and farmers who are most affected, not for political squabbles.
He went further to threaten that if security agencies fail to arrest the situation and if the sponsoring politicians do not stop, he will make public the identities of those allegedly involved. Igboho said he has been monitoring movements and collecting information from local sources, hunters, and vigilante groups across Oyo. The threat to name names has already generated tension, with political actors demanding proof while civil society groups call for a thorough investigation. He maintained that silence would amount to complicity, and that Nigerians deserve to know who is profiting from their suffering.
The activist also criticized the response of security agencies, saying that despite repeated incidents, there has been no visible crackdown on the financiers behind the kidnappings. He accused some officials of looking the other way because the perpetrators have political connections. For Igboho, tackling insecurity must go beyond arresting foot soldiers; the real solution lies in exposing and prosecuting those funding and organizing the crimes. He urged the Oyo State government and federal authorities to set up an independent panel to probe the allegations, promising to cooperate with any credible inquiry.
His comments have triggered mixed reactions across the state. Supporters say his willingness to speak out shows courage, especially since many people fear reprisals for accusing powerful politicians. Others have cautioned him to present concrete evidence before making public accusations, warning that unsubstantiated claims could heighten political tension and distract from actual security work. Traditional rulers and community leaders in affected areas have called for calm, urging all parties to allow law enforcement to do their job while remaining vigilant.
Political stakeholders in Oyo have largely dismissed Igboho’s allegations as baseless and inflammatory. Some described it as an attempt to drag partisan politics into a security crisis, while others demanded that he immediately reveal the names if he truly has them. The Oyo State government has yet to issue a formal response, but security sources say investigations into recent kidnapping cases are ongoing. They stressed that any individual, regardless of status, found to be funding criminal activities will be prosecuted, and they urged anyone with useful information to channel it through official security channels.
Ultimately, Igboho’s outburst highlights the growing frustration among citizens over persistent insecurity and the belief that political actors may be exploiting the crisis. Whether his threat to disclose names materializes or not, the allegations have put additional pressure on authorities to be more transparent and aggressive in their approach. For many residents, the priority remains safety on roads and farms, and they expect both government and community leaders to work together to dismantle the kidnapping networks. Igboho’s intervention has ensured that the conversation about sponsors, not just perpetrators, will stay on the public agenda.
