Amid ongoing concern over the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, the Oyo State Government has refuted reports alleging that it paid ransom to secure their release.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, the government described the claim as false and misleading, insisting that no ransom was paid either directly or indirectly to the abductors. He said the allegation was the work of “irresponsible bloggers” seeking to misinform the public and create confusion around the ongoing rescue efforts.
Oyelade stressed that both the state and federal governments, working with security agencies, are intensifying operations to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers. The government urged residents to rely only on official communication channels for accurate updates, warning that unverified reports could undermine security operations.
The abduction took place on May 15 when armed men attacked schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting pupils and teachers in a coordinated operation that also left a teacher dead.
Security agencies have since continued search-and-rescue operations as efforts intensify to locate the victims and apprehend those responsible.
