Mr. Paul Ibe, the media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has formally called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and relevant security agencies to invite Yoruba nation campaigner Sunday Igboho to provide details on his claims regarding the sponsorship of kidnappers in the South-West. Ibe’s statement, released on Thursday, follows recent remarks by Igboho during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Students, in which the activist claimed to possess specific knowledge of the politicians funding kidnapping operations in Oyo State.
Ibe argued that if Igboho indeed holds credible information that could lead to the identification and arrest of criminal syndicates responsible for the recent abduction of students and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, it is imperative for security agencies to engage him immediately. He emphasized that every available resource and lead should be utilized to fast-track the rescue of victims and dismantle the criminal networks terrorizing communities.
The media adviser also used the opportunity to draw a sharp comparison between the government's response to the recent abductions in Oyo State and the reported kidnapping of over 50 schoolchildren in Mussa, Borno State, on May 15, 2026. Ibe questioned the perceived silence of the Federal Government regarding the Borno incident, asking why the administration had not shown the same level of urgency or dispatched high-level delegations to the North-East. He further challenged the government to explain its strategy for securing vulnerable states, specifically inquiring about the deployment of forest guards to combat the persistent threat of abduction.
Sunday Igboho, for his part, had previously stated that the kidnappers operating in the region are not beyond the reach of security forces if decisive action is taken. He asserted his familiarity with the politicians behind the criminal groups, alleging that these individuals provide both funding and ammunition to the perpetrators. While security agencies have not yet publicly responded to either Ibe’s call or Igboho’s allegations, the exchange has intensified public pressure on the authorities to investigate potential political links to criminal activity and to ensure that school safety remains a priority across all regions of the country.
