Fresh tension has gripped Oyo State after activist Sunday Igboho vowed to publicly name politicians he accuses of backing armed groups behind the recent wave of school kidnappings in rural communities, as anger mounts over worsening insecurity and delayed rescues.
The attacks, which occurred on May 15 in Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities, left several people dead, including teachers such as Michael Oyedokun. Graphic footage of his beheading circulated online, deepening public outrage and fears over the safety of school environments in the region. Nearly three weeks after the incidents, no victims have been confirmed freed.
Igboho, a prominent Yoruba self-determination activist, said in a strongly worded intervention that he intends to expose what he described as “powerful sponsors” allegedly shielding kidnappers operating in parts of Oyo State and neighbouring corridors. While he did not immediately provide evidence or name individuals, his remarks have intensified political debate and public anxiety.
“We cannot continue like this while children and teachers are being taken and killed without consequence,” Igboho was quoted as saying in a public address. “Those behind these crimes are not only the gunmen in the forest. Some of them are sitting in positions of influence.”
His comments come amid growing frustration over repeated abductions targeting schools in the region, with residents accusing authorities of failing to secure vulnerable rural communities.
In response to the security situation, several schools across Oyo State have reportedly shut down temporarily, as parents and teachers demand stronger protection and clearer government action before reopening classrooms. The disruptions have further deepened concerns about the impact of insecurity on education in already underserved areas.
Public demonstrations have also emerged in parts of the state, with protesters calling on Governor Seyi Makinde and federal security agencies to urgently rescue the abducted victims and improve intelligence operations to prevent further attacks.
Security analysts say the incidents reflect a broader pattern of kidnapping-for-ransom networks operating across southwestern Nigeria, often exploiting weak surveillance in forested and remote settlements. However, officials have continued to emphasize ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal cells and strengthen coordination among security agencies.
The Oyo State Government has not issued a detailed response to Igboho’s latest allegations at the time of reporting, but authorities have previously urged calm while assuring residents that rescue operations are ongoing.
As pressure builds from communities, civil society groups, and activists, attention is now shifting toward whether authorities will accelerate rescue efforts and address the deeper structural issues fueling repeated school kidnappings in the region.
For many residents, however, the priority remains immediate: the safe return of the abducted victims and an end to what they describe as an escalating cycle of violence against schools and rural communities in Oyo State.