The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that pupils and teachers abducted from Ahoro, Esiele, and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area have been released.
According to the police, the reports are false and misleading, stressing that no such development has been recorded. The Command warned that spreading unverified information could hamper ongoing rescue efforts and create unnecessary panic among residents.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, urged members of the public to ignore the viral messages and rely only on information from official sources.
“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 Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been released by their abductors.
“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 statement read.
The Command reassured families of the victims and residents that efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers are ongoing. It noted that security agencies are deploying all available resources to ensure the victims are rescued safely and reunited with their families.
Police authorities also disclosed that investigations are continuing, with intensified efforts to track down and bring those responsible for the abduction to justice.
Ayanlade emphasized that security operatives remain fully committed to resolving the situation and urged the public not to spread unconfirmed information that could fuel anxiety or disrupt security operations.
While acknowledging the concern generated by the incident, the police appealed to residents to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of ongoing efforts. The Command also advised citizens to seek updates only from official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government agencies.
The police reiterated their commitment to keeping the public informed with accurate and timely updates as rescue operations progress.
The abduction of the pupils and teachers reportedly occurred during attacks by armed men on communities in Oriire Local Government Area, sparking widespread concern and renewed calls for stronger security measures across Oyo State.
