The Oyo State Police Command has strongly debunked a viral message circulating across various social media platforms which claims that the pupils and teachers abducted from Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities in Orire Local Government Area of the state have been released by their kidnappers.
In an official statement released in Ibadan, the state capital, by the Command’s spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, the police declared that the claim is false, misleading, and entirely unsubstantiated.
The police emphasized that as of the time of the release, there has been no such development, and they advised members of the public to completely disregard the report.
The security crisis began on Friday, May 15, 2026, when over 40 school children alongside their teachers were forcefully abducted during a coordinated attack targeting Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle; and L.A. Primary School, all within the Oriire Local Government Area.
Assuring the families of the victims and the public, the spokesperson stated: “The Command wishes to reassure the good people of Oyo and the families of the victims that intensive and coordinated rescue operations remain ongoing. Security operatives are working tirelessly, deploying all available human and operational resources to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, their unharmed reunification with their families, and the apprehension and prosecution of all those responsible for the heinous act.”
The police further issued a stern warning to individuals and groups spreading fake news regarding the sensitive situation.
The statement added: “While appreciating the concern and interest of members of the public regarding the incident, the Command strongly cautions individuals and groups against the dissemination of false information, unverified reports, and sensational narratives capable of causing unnecessary panic, heightening public anxiety, undermining ongoing security operations, and threatening public peace and order.”
Residents have been urged to stay calm and rely strictly on official updates from the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government agencies instead of sharing unverified information across communication platforms.
