Oyo School Abduction: Police Debunk Viral Release Claims as Families Await Good News
The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media that abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Orire Local Government Area have been released.
The clarification comes as families continue to wait for the safe return of more than 40 children and their teachers abducted during coordinated attacks on schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities on May 15.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, described the reports as false and misleading. He urged members of the public to ignore the claims and rely only on information from official sources.
According to Ayanlade, there has been no breakthrough leading to the release of the affected persons. He stressed that security agencies remain fully engaged in efforts to secure their freedom.
“The Command states unequivocally that the claim is false, misleading, and entirely unsubstantiated. As of the time of this release, there has been no such development,” he said.
The continued captivity of the children has raised serious child protection concerns. Beyond the immediate security risks, experts warn that prolonged abduction can affect children’s mental health, emotional wellbeing and education.
Many of the affected children have now spent weeks away from their families, classrooms and normal routines. Such experiences can leave lasting effects, particularly on young learners.
Meanwhile, the police assured families that rescue operations remain active. Security personnel, Ayanlade said, are deploying all available resources to secure the safe return of the children and teachers and bring those responsible to justice.
He also warned against spreading unverified information. False reports, he noted, can create confusion, fuel anxiety among families and interfere with ongoing security operations.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to keeping the public informed while working toward the safe reunification of the affected children and teachers with their families.
