Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho has praised the Federal Government's decision to reject ransom demands from the terrorists who kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oyo State's Oriire Local Government Area. In a statement on Saturday, Igboho said accepting the kidnappers' terms would have fuelled criminality and expanded bandit operations nationwide.
The abducted students and staff from Community Grammar School Ahoro-Esinele, LA Primary School, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School Yawota spent 56 days in captivity after being taken on May 15, 2026. They were freed on Friday by a combined security team.
Igboho commended President Bola Tinubu and the military for their resolve throughout the ordeal. "I want to commend the President, 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," he said.
He stressed that releasing detained terrorists or paying ransoms would have strengthened criminal networks across Nigeria. Instead, the government maintained a firm stance against such capitulation.
The activist highlighted how the successful rescue has restored citizens' confidence in the administration's security commitment. "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 safe and secure environment," he noted.
Igboho specifically recognised Defence Minister General Christopher Musa (retired), Inspector General of Police Tunji Disu, the National Security Adviser, and DSS leadership for their coordinated efforts. He praised what he termed the military's "highly wired diplomacy, intelligence-driven tactics" in securing the victims' freedom.
The activist expressed confidence in ongoing collaboration between security agencies and local security organisations to combat criminal networks in Oke-Ogun region and beyond. "Government's resolve to tackle criminal networks in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, and Nigeria as a whole are not in doubt," he said.
Igboho added that the Federal Government remains committed to exploring all legal avenues to create safer environments for farmers and rural community residents across the South West. He pledged that the current security synergy would continue unabated.
The activist extended condolences to families of those killed during the abduction, particularly teacher Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded by the terrorists. Igboho reiterated confidence in the administration's ability to restore security across Oke-Ogun and other regions through sustained inter-agency cooperation.
