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, to provide details of politicians he alleged are sponsoring kidnappers responsible for the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.
Ibe made the call on Thursday in a post on X, arguing that security agencies should take advantage of any credible information that could aid efforts to rescue the victims and dismantle criminal networks behind the attacks.
His remarks followed recent comments by Igboho during a meeting with members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), where the activist claimed to know politicians allegedly backing kidnappers operating in parts of the South-West.
The comments came amid growing concern over the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that has heightened fears about the spread of kidnapping and insecurity into communities previously regarded as relatively safe.
Reacting to Igboho’s claims, Ibe said security agencies should immediately engage him if he possesses information capable of assisting ongoing investigations.
“Since Sunday Igboho claims to know those behind the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State, I think the State Security Service and other security agencies should invite him to disclose those names.
“Every option should be on the table to fast-track the safe release of the schoolchildren and teachers,” he stated.
Ibe also expanded the discussion to the broader security challenges facing the country, questioning what he described as the Federal Government’s limited response to the reported abduction of more than 50 schoolchildren in Mussa, Borno State, on May 15.
Drawing comparisons between official responses to incidents in Oyo and Borno states, he asked:
“By the way, who knows those behind the abduction of over 50 schoolchildren in Mussa, Borno State, on May 15, 2026?
“Why is the Tinubu government silent over the Borno abduction? Are those schoolchildren not Nigerians? When will the Commander-in-Chief send a delegation to Mussa as was done in the case of Oriire?
“When will Borno and other vulnerable states get their own forest guards? Why wait for tragedy before taking action to address insecurity?”
Speaking earlier, Igboho insisted that kidnappers could be dislodged through decisive action and alleged that some politicians were providing support to criminal groups.
“If I am permitted to enter their hideouts, they will flee. They are humans and can be dislodged.
“I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop their activities, I will mention their names. They are the ones providing ammunition and financial support,” he said.
The exchange has renewed attention on school safety and the persistent threat posed by kidnapping gangs across various parts of the country.
Nigeria has witnessed a series of mass abductions targeting schools over the past decade, particularly in northern states, prompting repeated calls for stronger intelligence gathering, improved community policing and enhanced protection for vulnerable communities.
While security agencies have yet to publicly respond to either Igboho’s allegations or Ibe’s call, the development is expected to increase pressure on authorities to investigate claims of political sponsorship of criminal groups and intensify efforts to secure the release of victims still in captivity.
The allegations have also revived concerns about the relationship between politics, criminality and insecurity, a recurring issue in national discourse as Nigeria continues to confront kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes across several regions.
