By Ayobami Okerinde
The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that one of the pupils abducted during the recent attack on schools in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, died while in captivity.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, described the report as false, misleading and lacking any factual basis.
According to the command, neither the police nor any of the security agencies involved in efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers has confirmed such a development.
It partly reads, “The Command categorically states that the report is false, misleading, mischievous, and without any factual basis whatsoever. At no time has the Oyo State Police Command, nor any other recognized security agency involved in the ongoing rescue efforts, confirmed such a development. The publication is a fabrication carefully crafted by individuals whose objective is to arouse unnecessary public sentiment, create panic, spread fear, and undermine ongoing security operations.
“It is particularly disturbing that the authors of the report deliberately employed emotional narratives, speculative claims, and unverified accounts in a calculated attempt to manipulate public opinion and generate anxiety among residents. Such conduct not only constitutes a disservice to responsible journalism but also advances the very objectives of criminal elements and terror merchants who thrive on fear, uncertainty, and public distress.”
It also warned that the circulation of false information could jeopardise rescue efforts, cause additional trauma to affected families and mislead the public.
The police therefore cautioned bloggers, social media influencers, online content creators and media organisations against publishing or amplifying unverified security-related information.
“Consequently, the Oyo State Police Command strongly cautions individuals, bloggers, social media influencers, online content creators, and media platforms against the publication or amplification of unverified security-related information. The indiscriminate sharing of false reports, particularly those capable of inciting fear or causing public disorder, is irresponsible and unacceptable,” it added
The command urged members of the public to disregard the report and rely only on information released through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government agencies.
“Members of the public are advised to disregard the said publication in its entirety and rely solely on information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government agencies.
“The Oyo State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to public safety and security and will continue to keep residents appropriately informed of verified developments as circumstances warrant,” the statement added.
