The Oyo State Police Command has reacted to viral social media reports claiming the release of dozens of pupils and teachers recently abducted from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The mass abduction took place in the Ahoro Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
Reacting in a statement on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, declared that the trending rumours are completely fabricated.
“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to categorically debunk the viral messages currently circulating across various social media platforms alleging that the pupils and teachers abducted from Ahoro Esiele and Yawota Communities in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been released by their abductors,” the PPRO stated.
“The Command states unequivocally that the claim is false, misleading, and entirely unsubstantiated. As of the time of this release, there has been no such development, and members of the public are advised to disregard the report in its entirety.”
The Command assured the public that joint security operations are still actively working to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe return of the victims.
“The Command wishes to reassure the good people of Oyo State and the families of the victims that intensive and coordinated rescue operations remain ongoing. Security operatives are working tirelessly, deploying all available human and operational resources to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, their unharmed reunification with their families, and the apprehension and prosecution of all those responsible for the heinous act,” the statement read.
Warning against the dangers of spreading unverified narratives during an active security crisis, the police cautioned individuals and groups to stop broadcasting false updates that could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.