Fresh concerns have emerged over the fate of abducted teachers and students in Oyo State, after reports claiming their release were dismissed by the state government.
Special Adviser on Security to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Abayomi Fagbenro, said viral claims that victims kidnapped during last Friday’s attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area had regained freedom were false.
Fagbenro, reacting to reports circulating on social media, insisted that none of the abducted victims had been released as of Thursday morning. According to him, “As of 10:35 am, it is not true”.
The clarification followed conflicting posts online, with some users claiming the victims had been freed, while others dismissed the reports as unverified because no government agency or major media organisation had confirmed the development.
Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, also said he had no information confirming the release of the victims. He, however, noted that security agencies were intensifying efforts to rescue those still in captivity.
Gunmen had attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso in Oriire Local Government Area last Friday. The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and LEA Primary School, Esiele.
The attack led to the abduction of pupils, students and teachers, while at least one person was confirmed killed.
Makinde had earlier disclosed that seven students were abducted from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School.
Following the incident, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu ordered the deployment of additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to support rescue operations.
The Defence Headquarters also disclosed that troops had established contact with the abductors and were working towards securing the release of the victims.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, had also called for a careful and timely operation to rescue the abducted students and teachers.
