Oyo Police Deny Report Of Abducted Pupil’s Death

The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed a report claiming that one of the schoolchildren abducted during the recent attack on three schools in Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area, died in captivity.

Naija News reports that the command described the report as false, malicious and misleading.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ayanlade Olayinka, said the claim was designed to cause panic and undermine ongoing rescue operations.

The police said neither the command nor any security agency involved in the rescue efforts had confirmed the death of any abducted pupil.

The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command has observed with grave concern the circulation of a malicious and entirely unfounded report alleging that one of the schoolchildren abducted during the recent incident at Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, died while in captivity.

“It is particularly disturbing that the authors of the report deliberately employed emotional narratives, speculative claims and unverified accounts in a calculated attempt to manipulate public opinion and generate anxiety among residents.”

Police Warn Bloggers, Influencers

The command warned that spreading unverified security-related information could endanger ongoing operations, distress victims’ families and embolden criminals.

It stated, “Consequently, the Oyo State Police Command strongly cautions individuals, bloggers, social media influencers, online content creators and media platforms against the publication or amplification of unverified security-related information.

“The indiscriminate sharing of false reports, particularly those capable of inciting fear or causing public disorder, is irresponsible and unacceptable.”

The police urged residents to rely only on official communications from the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised security agencies.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to securing the safe rescue of the abducted schoolchildren.

“The statement added, “The Command therefore appeals to all media houses, bloggers and online content creators to exercise professionalism, responsibility and due diligence in the discharge of their duties.

“They must refrain from becoming unwitting accomplices to those whose stock-in-trade is misinformation, fearmongering and the deliberate distortion of facts for ulterior motives.”