The Oyo State Police Command has refuted a viral social media report claiming that pupils and teachers abducted from Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities in Orire Local Government Area were flown to Kaduna State in a helicopter.
Describing the claim as baseless and misleading, the police urged members of the public to disregard the circulating video, insisting that it contains no verified information and does not reflect the reality of ongoing efforts to rescue the victims.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said the Command was aware of the video and had thoroughly dismissed its contents.
“The attention of the Oyo State Police Command has been drawn to a misleading and unfounded video currently circulating on social media, alleging that the abducted school children and teachers from Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota Communities in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been moved to Kaduna State via a helicopter,” the statement read.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that the content of the said video is entirely false, unverified, misleading, and devoid of any factual basis. The claim lacks credibility, substance, and the requisite threshold of authenticity expected of information relating to such a sensitive security matter.”
The Command stressed that rescue operations are still underway and have been intensified in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies.
According to the police, efforts remain focused on securing the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers, reuniting them with their families, and ensuring those responsible for the abduction are apprehended and prosecuted.
“Members of the public are hereby informed that intensive rescue operations remain ongoing,” Olayinka stated.
“The Oyo State Police Command, in close collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies, has significantly intensified efforts aimed at ensuring the safe rescue of all abducted victims, their prompt reunification with their families, and the apprehension and prosecution of those responsible for the unfortunate incident.”
The police also raised concerns over what it described as a deliberate spread of misinformation, warning that false reports could undermine public trust, fuel panic among residents and relatives of the victims, and hinder ongoing security operations.
The Command appealed to the public to rely only on verified information from official sources and avoid sharing unconfirmed reports capable of jeopardising rescue efforts.
