Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Igboho, has alleged that some politicians are sponsoring banditry and insecurity in the country, claiming they provide criminal groups with weapons and financial support to destabilise the government and make the country ungovernable.
Igboho made the claims on Wednesday while receiving members of the Association of Nigerian Students led by Akinteye Bàbàtunde at his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State. In a now-viral video captured by Wisdom TV, the activist also alleged that the Oyo State Government rejected his offer to help rescue abducted schoolchildren and other victims recently taken by kidnappers in parts of the state.
The meeting reportedly centred on the worsening security situation in the country, particularly the rising cases of abductions and attacks on schools and communities. Speaking passionately during the engagement, Igboho insisted that criminal elements terrorising parts of the country were not invincible and could be flushed out if decisive action was taken against them.
According to him, he volunteered to confront the kidnappers in their hideouts but was prevented from doing so by the state government. “If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are neither gnomes nor mannequins; they are humans, so that they could be dislodged,” he said. Igboho further claimed that he knew some of the politicians allegedly sponsoring criminal activities across the country and warned that he could expose them publicly if they continued supporting insecurity.
“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 alleged. The activist also linked the current security challenges to wider political interests, alleging that some individuals were deliberately attempting to destabilise the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, similar tactics were allegedly used during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. “The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him. They even have fake news propaganda to scare the masses and divert supporters away from the President,” he said. Referring to the recent abduction incidents in Oyo State, Igboho questioned the official handling of the situation and reiterated that he was willing to intervene directly.
“Suppose the recent abduction is not a game. In Oyo, they made away with children. I volunteered to go, but the state government said ‘No,’” he stated. Although the video circulating online ended abruptly during part of his remarks, the comments have since generated widespread reactions across social media and political circles, with supporters and critics debating the implications of his claims.
Igboho’s remarks come amid growing public anxiety over insecurity in different parts of the country, especially repeated cases of kidnappings involving students, travellers and residents. In recent months, several communities across Nigeria have experienced attacks linked to bandits and armed criminal groups, prompting calls for stronger security measures and coordinated action from both federal and state authorities.
The activist has over the years remained a controversial but influential figure in the South-West, gaining prominence for his outspoken stance on security issues and agitation for Yoruba self-determination. He first gained national attention through his campaigns against criminal activities allegedly perpetrated by armed herders in parts of the South-West region. His latest comments are expected to further intensify conversations surrounding insecurity, political accountability and the role of local actors in addressing security threats.
As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government had not officially responded to Igboho’s allegations regarding his alleged offer to rescue abducted victims or his claims about political sponsorship of banditry. Security experts, however, continue to emphasise the need for intelligence-driven operations, stronger collaboration among security agencies and community involvement in tackling the country’s growing insecurity challenges.
Meanwhile, many Nigerians have continued to express concern over the recurring incidents of abduction across schools and communities, urging authorities to prioritise the protection of lives and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
