Atiku aide to DSS: Invite Igboho for questioning over Oyo abduction claims

Media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to invite Yoruba nation campaigner, Sunday Igboho, for questioning over his claims that he knows politicians sponsoring kidnappers in the South-West.

Ibe made the call on Thursday in a post on X, arguing that security agencies should take advantage of any credible information that could help rescue abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

His intervention followed remarks by Igboho during a meeting with members of the National Association of Nigerian Students, where he claimed to know politicians allegedly backing kidnappers operating in parts of the region.

Reacting to the allegation, Ibe urged security agencies to engage the activist and obtain the information he claimed to possess.

Ibe said: “Since Sunday Ighoho claims to know those behind the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State, I think that the State Security Service and other security agencies knew to invite him to release those names to them.

“Every option should be on the table to fast-track the safe release of the school children and teachers.”

He also questioned the Federal Government’s response to the reported abduction of more than 50 schoolchildren in Mussa, Borno State, on May 15, 2026.

Drawing comparisons with the official response to the abductions in Oyo State, Ibe asked: “By the way, who knows those behind the abduction of over 50 school children in Mussa, Borno State on May 15, 2026?

“Why is Tinubu and his government mute over the Borno abduction?

“Are those school children not Nigerians?

“When will the Commander-in-Chief and Consoler-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?

“Why wait for a tragedy to occur before the Tinubu government takes action to stem insecurity in our country?”

Igboho had earlier told his visitors that kidnappers could be dislodged if decisive action was taken against them.

He said: “If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee.

“They are neither gnomes nor mannequins; they are humans, so they can be dislodged.”

The activist also alleged that some politicians were supporting the criminal groups.

According to him: “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.”

The exchange has again drawn attention to concerns over school safety and the growing threat posed by kidnapping gangs across the country.

Nigeria has witnessed several mass abductions targeting schools in recent years, leading to repeated calls for stronger intelligence gathering, improved community policing and better protection for vulnerable communities.

Security agencies are yet to publicly respond to Igboho’s allegations or Ibe’s call for an investigation.