Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media aide, Mr. Paul Ibe, has formally called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to invite Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho to disclose the identities of the politicians he claims are behind the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In a post on his X handle on Thursday, June 4, 2026, Ibe argued that if Igboho possesses credible information about the kidnappers, security agencies have a duty to engage him and use any such intelligence to speed up the rescue of the victims. “Since Sunday Igboho claims to know those behind the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State, I think that the State Security Service (SSS) and other security agencies need to invite him to release those names to them,” Ibe wrote. “Every option should be on the table to fast-track the safe release of the school children and teachers.”
Ibe’s intervention came just hours after Igboho, while receiving the new executive members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) led by Akinteye Bàbàtunde at his residence in Ibadan, alleged that certain politicians were sponsoring the criminal elements responsible for the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LGA. In a video that has since gone viral, Igboho said: “I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop perpetrating their evil acts, I will mention them all. I know them. The politicians behind them are the ones giving them ammunition and money.” He also claimed that he had volunteered to lead a rescue operation but was prevented by the Oyo State Government, which warned that any attempt to use force could endanger the lives of the captives.
The abduction that triggered the outcry occurred on Friday, May 15, 2026, when about 12 armed men on motorcycles, dressed in military camouflage, simultaneously stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Ahoro‑Esinele and L.A. Primary School in Esiele. The attackers killed an assistant headmaster, Mr. Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist, before abducting an estimated 39 pupils and seven teachers. Days later, a mathematics teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in a viral video. The victims include a two‑year‑old toddler, Christianah Akanbi, and the principal of Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu. As of Thursday, the victims remained in captivity despite ongoing rescue efforts by security agencies.
Ibe did not limit his criticism to the Oyo abduction. He also questioned the federal government’s response to the reported abduction of more than 50 schoolchildren in Mussa, Borno State, which occurred on the same day, May 15, 2026. “By the way, who knows those behind the abduction of over 50 school children in Mussa, Borno State on May 15, 2026?” Ibe asked. “Why is Tinubu and his government mute over the Borno abduction? Are those school children not Nigerians? When will the Commander‑in‑Chief send a delegation to Mussa like it did in the case of Oriire? When will Borno and other vulnerable states get their own forest guards?” he wrote, accusing the administration of responding reactively rather than proactively to the country’s security crisis.
Igboho, for his part, further claimed that he had obtained federal approval for his security network, Iru Ekun, but that the Oyo State Government discouraged him from deploying it, warning that any intervention could lead to the death of the captives. “I arranged the Iru Ekun Security Network and the federal government approved it. As I was announcing the security outfit, the state government immediately said every security outfit must seek approval before doing anything,” he told the NANS delegation. “If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are humans and can be dislodged.” He also denied asking for money from Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration to carry out a rescue operation.
As the political back‑and‑forth intensified, the Oyo State Police Command on Thursday again debunked social media reports claiming that the abducted pupils and teachers had been released. In a press statement, the command described the viral messages as “false, misleading, and entirely unsubstantiated” and reassured the families that rescue operations were ongoing. The Senate also passed a resolution condemning the abduction and urging the Federal Government to deploy all necessary resources to secure the victims’ release.
Ibe concluded his post with a pointed question that underscored the growing frustration over selective attention to mass abductions: “Why wait for a tragedy to occur before the Tinubu government takes action to stem insecurity in our country?” His challenge to the DSS to summon Igboho and extract any information he may have now places the security agencies at a crossroads. Whether they will act on the call or remain silent will be a test of their commitment to exploring “every option on the table” to bring the children home.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS and other security agencies had not issued an official response to Ibe’s request.
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