Oyo Police Deny False Kidnap Reports, Warn Misinformation

The Oyo State Police Command has issued multiple statements dismissing false reports circulating online regarding the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the state, warning that such misinformation jeopardizes ongoing rescue operations. Authorities are actively working to secure the release of the victims, who were kidnapped from schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.

In a statement on Friday, the police categorically denied a viral report claiming one of the abducted pupils had died in captivity. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, described the report as a malicious fabrication without any factual basis, stating that no security agency involved in the rescue efforts had confirmed such a development. The command alleged the publication was deliberately crafted to incite public panic and undermine security operations.

Separately, on Saturday, the command debunked another widely circulated report that purported to contain confidential operational details of the investigation, including suspect identities and intercepted communications. Police labeled this publication as misleading and...