By Ugo Nkwocha
Sunday Igboho has demanded the immediate release of a
pregnant woman and her sibling who were reportedly abducted in Oyo State,
warning Fulani leaders in Igboho town that they have just two hours to secure
their freedom or face serious consequences.
The
Yoruba Nation activist made the declaration following reports that suspected
Fulani gunmen stormed the Igboho area in the dead of night and kidnapped the
pregnant woman alongside her sibling.
According
to information shared by Igboho, the abductors initially demanded a ransom of
N300 million before later reducing the amount to N150 million.
But the
activist insisted that neither the victims nor their families would pay any
ransom.
Speaking
during a tense meeting with Fulani leaders in the community, Igboho expressed
outrage over the incident, describing it as unacceptable and deeply troubling.
He said
he could not remain silent while such acts were allegedly taking place in his
hometown, stressing that Igboho has long been known for opposing kidnapping and
insecurity.
The
activist further alleged that a person who delivered ransom money to the
kidnappers was killed, alongside the pregnant woman. He questioned the motive
behind the killings and condemned what he described as a growing culture of
violence.
Igboho
claimed that those behind the abduction were known to members of the Fulani
community and insisted that local leaders had a responsibility to help resolve
the situation immediately.
He also
alleged that efforts to trace phone numbers connected to the kidnappers led
investigators to several locations within the area. According to him, the
victims were allegedly moved from one place to another during the operation.
Maintaining
a hardline stance, Igboho said Fulani leaders should collectively raise the
ransom demanded by the kidnappers if that was what would secure the release of
the victims.
“We
don’t have that kind of money to pay,” he said, insisting that the burden
should not fall on the affected families.
The
activist also accused kidnappers operating in the area of repeatedly targeting
Yoruba residents while sparing members of their own ethnic group.
Calling
for peaceful coexistence among all residents, he nevertheless warned that
patience was running out.
He gave
Fulani leaders a two-hour window to ensure the release of the pregnant woman,
her children and her sibling, warning that failure to do so would trigger a
direct confrontation.
“This
must be the last time such a thing happens here,” he declared. “Let us live
together in peace, but kidnapping and bloodshed must stop.”
Post a Comment