The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that security agencies paid a ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that the information circulating on social media is false and misleading.
The clarification comes amid widespread speculation following claims by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, who alleged that a ransom had been delivered to the kidnappers but that the victims were still being held captive. The claims sparked renewed public concern over the fate of the children and teachers who were kidnapped during the attack on the community in May.
Reacting to the reports, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, CSP Adewale Osifeso, firmly denied that any ransom payment was made by the police or other security agencies. He stressed that the command remains committed to lawful rescue operations and urged members of the public to disregard unverified information capable of creating unnecessary panic and undermining ongoing efforts to rescue the victims...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The police explained that investigations and coordinated security operations are still underway, with personnel working alongside other security agencies to track down the kidnappers and secure the safe release of those still in captivity. Authorities appealed to residents to remain calm and continue providing useful intelligence that could assist the rescue mission rather than spreading rumours on social media.
The abduction of dozens of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area has drawn national attention and intensified calls for stronger measures to tackle insecurity and mass kidnappings across Nigeria. The incident is one of several school abductions recorded in different parts of the country in recent months, highlighting the persistent threat posed by criminal gangs targeting educational institutions for ransom.
As anxiety continues to grow among the families of the victims, the Oyo State Police Command has assured the public that every available resource is being deployed to ensure the children and their teachers are rescued safely. The command also warned that individuals spreading false or unverified information could hamper security operations and urged Nigerians to rely only on official updates from law enforcement agencies regarding the ongoing rescue efforts.
