The Oyo State Government has dismissed viral social media reports claiming that teachers and students abducted during last Friday’s attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area have been released.
The attack, which occurred in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso in Oriire Local Government Area, left at least two persons dead and about 30 teachers and students abducted.
Since Wednesday night, several social media posts have circulated claiming that the victims had regained freedom, while others described the reports as false and unverified. Some users also questioned the authenticity of the claims, noting the absence of confirmation from credible media organisations or security agencies.
Reacting to the development on Thursday morning, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, Abayomi Fagbenro, said the reports were untrue.
“As of 10:35 am, it’s not true,” Fagbenro said while responding to inquiries on the situation.
Also speaking, the Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said he was not aware of any release of the abducted victims as of Thursday morning.
Ayanlade, however, assured that security agencies were intensifying efforts to rescue those still in captivity.
Following the attack, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered the deployment of additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to support joint security operations aimed at securing the victims’ release.
Governor Seyi Makinde had also assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue those abducted during the coordinated attacks on the schools.
Gunmen had invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and LEA Primary School, Esiele, abducting scores of pupils, students, and teachers.
According to Makinde, seven students were abducted from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Nursery and Primary School. He added that one person was killed during the attack.
