Oyo Denies Ransom Claim as Oyo, Borno Schoolchildren Mark 49 Days in Captivity
Forty-nine days after armed attackers abducted schoolchildren and teachers in separate incidents in Oyo and Borno states, the children remain in captivity, with authorities insisting that efforts to secure their release are ongoing.
In Oyo State, the government has dismissed reports alleging that ransom was paid to free the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued on Friday, Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade said neither the Oyo State Government nor the Federal Government had paid ransom to the abductors.
“Although both the Oyo State and Federal Governments have been making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers, no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly,” the statement read.
The commissioner accused unnamed bloggers of spreading misinformation and urged the public to rely only on official government channels for updates.
The children and their teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits attacked three schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities in Oriire Local Government Area. The coordinated assault claimed the life of a teacher, while several pupils and education workers were taken away by the attackers.
Nearly seven weeks later, the affected persons remain in captivity despite ongoing rescue efforts involving state and federal authorities and security agencies.
Meanwhile, concern is also growing over the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in Borno State, where families have repeatedly appealed for stronger government action to secure their release.
The prolonged captivity of the children in both Oyo and Borno has renewed concerns among child rights advocates, who warn that extended detention exposes children to serious physical and psychological harm while disrupting their education and overall well-being.
As rescue operations continue, families of the abducted children are hoping for a safe reunion, while authorities maintain that security agencies are working to bring the incidents to a peaceful conclusion without compromising the children’s safety.
