Residents of Igboho town in the Oorelope Local Government Area of Oyo State erupted in widespread celebration following the dramatic release of an abducted family, just hours after Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, issued a strict two-hour ultimatum to the kidnappers.

The victims who include a pregnant woman, her children, and a sibling had been taken during a midnight raid on their residence by heavily armed men. The criminal network originally demanded a ₦300 million ransom before lowering their demands to ₦150 million during negotiations. Tensions in the ancient town reached a boiling point following unverified local reports that another pregnant woman and a ransom bearer had been killed by the gang despite ongoing efforts by the family to secure their freedom.

The security breach prompted a swift and aggressive reaction from Sunday Igboho, an original indigene of the town. In a viral video filmed during an emergency meeting with Fulani community leaders and traditional representatives in Igboho, the activist vehemently condemned the pattern of attacks, noting that the victims were predominantly Yoruba residents. Declaring that he would no longer tolerate his hometown being turned into a kidnapping hotspot, Igboho accused local leaders of failing to rein in known criminal elements within their domains and issued a definitive two-hour deadline for the immediate release of the remaining captives without ransom.

Hours after the ultimatum elapsed, the criminal group capitulated and released the family. Videos circulating on social media showed relieved residents flooding the streets, singing and dancing to welcome the victims back home. While the community views the breakthrough as a major victory against rural insecurity, conventional security authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the exact operational circumstances surrounding the victims’ sudden release.