The Oyo State Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that teachers and students abducted during last Friday’s attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area have regained their freedom.
The government described the viral reports as false, insisting that the victims were still in captivity as of Thursday morning.
The clarification was made by the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, Abayomi Fagbenro, after several online posts emerged Wednesday night alleging that the kidnapped victims had been released.
The abduction occurred in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota area of Ogbomoso in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed gunmen reportedly invaded three schools.
The attack reportedly left at least two persons dead, while about 30 teachers and students were abducted by the attackers.
As rumours of a possible release spread online, many Nigerians expressed mixed reactions, with some celebrating the unverified claims while others questioned the authenticity of the reports due to the absence of confirmation from major media organisations or security agencies.
Reacting to the reports, Fagbenro stated that no such release had occurred at the time of his response.
“As of 10:35 am, it’s not true,” he said.
Also speaking on the development, spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, said he was not aware of any release involving the abducted teachers and students.
He added that security operatives were still working to secure the safe rescue of those being held by the kidnappers.
Meanwhile, following the attack, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, reportedly ordered the deployment of additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to support ongoing rescue operations.
The incident has continued to generate nationwide concern over insecurity and repeated attacks on schools and rural communities across parts of Nigeria.
