Police debunk release of abducted Oyo school children, teachers

The Oyo State Police Command has officially refuted circulating messages on social media that falsely claimed the release of pupils and teachers abducted from communities in the Orire Local Government Area. The command spokesperson, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated in Ibadan that the claims are misleading and entirely unsubstantiated.

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Oyo Police Command wishes to categorically debunk the viral messages currently circulating across various social media platforms alleging 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 abductors.

Residents of Oyo State are urged to disregard these false reports and to rely exclusively on information disseminated through the official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government agencies. The police emphasized that as of the time of their statement, no such release had occurred.

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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, and members of the public are advised to disregard the report in its entirety.

This clarification comes after a coordinated attack on Friday, May 15, 2026, where over 40 school children and their teachers were abducted from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle; and L.A. Primary School. The command reassured the public and the families of the victims that intensive and coordinated rescue operations are actively underway.

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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.

Security operatives are reportedly deploying all available resources to ensure the safe rescue and unharmed reunification of the abducted individuals with their families. The police are also committed to apprehending and prosecuting those responsible for this heinous act. The statement cautioned against the dissemination of false information that could cause panic or undermine ongoing security efforts, urging citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive.

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The Command, therefore, urges residents to rely solely on information released through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government agencies. Citizens are encouraged to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of ongoing security efforts while refraining from sharing unverified information on social media and other communication platforms.