No Rescue Yet: Oyo Govt, Police Deny Release of Abducted School Children

IBADAN – The Oyo State Government and the Oyo State Police Command have officially dismissed viral social media reports claiming that students, pupils, and teachers abducted during last Friday’s attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area have been rescued or released.

The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, Abayomi Fagbenro, described the reports as false, insisting that the victims were still in captivity as of Thursday morning. “As of 10:35 am, it’s not true,” Fagbenro said in response to inquiries. Similarly, the Oyo State Police Command officially debunked the rumours. In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said security agencies were continuing intensive efforts to secure the safe rescue of the victims and apprehend those behind the abduction. “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the abducted students, pupils, and teachers in Orire Local Government Area are yet to be released, as intensive efforts by security agencies continue to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of those responsible for the criminal act,” the statement read. “The Command hereby debunks the rumour currently circulating that the victims have been rescued.” The police warned that the spread of misinformation could undermine rescue operations and create unnecessary panic among residents. “The spread of fake news and misinformation only creates unnecessary panic, heightens tension, and diverts limited security resources that are critically needed for the ongoing operations,” the statement added.

The attack occurred on three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso in Oriire Local Government Area. Gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and LEA Primary School, Esiele, killing at least two persons and abducting about 30 teachers and students. Governor Makinde later provided a detailed breakdown of the abductees, stating that seven students were abducted from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were kidnapped from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. He also confirmed that one teacher was killed during the attack.

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In a significant development, Governor Seyi Makinde has disclosed that the state government is ready to consider the demands of the abductors in order to secure the safe release of the victims. Speaking at his private residence in Kolapo Ishola Estate, Ibadan, Governor Makinde said the state would never surrender to terrorism, stressing that every effort was being intensified to ensure the victims return home unharmed. Describing the situation as “fluid and difficult,” the governor noted that security operatives were still carrying out rescue operations in the area. Makinde explained that the state government had established an operational situation room at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters to coordinate rescue efforts and provide verified information to the public. He also confirmed that a surveillance aircraft procured by the state government had already arrived in Nigeria and was currently being assembled at the Nigerian Air Force hangar in Lagos to aid security operations.

The Defence Headquarters disclosed on Tuesday that troops currently engaged in search-and-rescue operations had made contact with the abductors. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said the military was deploying “the full weight” of its operational capacity to rescue the victims. “Troops made contact with the criminal elements two days ago, have since reorganised, and are continuing the search and pursuit operations with full determination,” Onoja stated. He added that working in close coordination with relevant security agencies, the Armed Forces were conducting intensive joint operations across forest corridors and ungoverned spaces in the zone. The Defence Headquarters also debunked claims of a terrorist base in the South-West, describing the Oyo attack as an “isolated criminal act” that does not indicate any entrenched terrorist structure in the region. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to categorically address recent media reports and public speculation suggesting that terrorist elements have established a permanent operational base within the South West geo-political zone,” Onoja said. “Current intelligence assessments do not support the conclusion that any structured or permanent terrorist base exists within the forests or hinterlands of the South West region.”

Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, ordered the deployment of additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to join the ongoing joint security operation. The deployment aims to collaborate with the combined security team to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, called on Wednesday for a “careful, clinical and timely” operation to rescue the students and teachers abducted from the three schools. His remarks emphasized that the safety of the abductees must be prioritized in ongoing rescue efforts.

The Oyo State Police Command assured residents that verified updates would be communicated as developments unfold and advised individuals seeking authentic information to contact the Police Public Relations Officer or the Command’s control room. “Members of the public are urged to remain calm, support the ongoing efforts of the joint security team, and verify every piece of information before sharing it,” the police stated.

No Rescue Yet: Oyo Govt, Police Deny Release of Abducted School Children

Drug Test Ordered as Anambra Police Discipline ASP Who Threatened to Kill Bystanders Filming Him

AWKA – The Anambra State Police Command has arrested and initiated internal disciplinary proceedings against Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Newton Isokpehi following a viral social media video in which he threatened to kill anyone filming him while on duty.

The command, in a press statement signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Ngozi Ezeabata, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, confirmed the officer’s identity on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

ASP Isokpehi, who is attached to the Anambra State Command, triggered widespread public outrage on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, after a video surfaced on TikTok and spread rapidly to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. In the clip, speaking directly to the camera in Pidgin English, he threatened to “clear everybody down” — including bystanders — if anyone attempted to record him while he carried out official duties. He also vowed that any superior officer who sanctioned the filming of police officers would be responsible for burying the citizens he threatened to kill. The video was later deleted from his TikTok page, but not before it had been viewed and shared thousands of times. Shortly afterward, Isokpehi posted a second video apologizing, describing his earlier remarks as having been made out of frustration.

According to the police statement, the command moved immediately upon sighting the video. “Following a prompt review of the video, the Command immediately identified and arrested the officer involved. The officer is an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP Newton Isokpehi, serving in the Command,” the statement read. “In line with the disciplinary standards and ethical code of the Nigeria Police Force, internal disciplinary proceedings have since been activated against the officer.” Commissioner Orutugu strongly condemned the officer’s conduct, describing it as incompatible with the values of the force and a threat to public trust and confidence in the institution.

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In a significant development, the command disclosed that Isokpehi has been subjected to a drug test as part of efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident. “As part of the ongoing investigation, the officer has also been subjected to a drug test to aid the Command in establishing all surrounding circumstances and ensuring a thorough and transparent process,” the statement added.

The arrest comes just two months after a landmark court judgment reaffirming the right of Nigerians to record police officers on duty. On March 17, 2026, the Federal High Court in Warri, in the case of Maxwell Nosakhare Uwaifo v. I.G.P. & Ors., Justice H.A. Nganjiwa ruled that citizens are constitutionally protected when recording police operations in public spaces. The court declared that such actions are covered under Chapter IV of the Nigerian Constitution and that officers must not interfere, confiscate devices, or retaliate against individuals filming them. The Anambra Police Command’s swift action against ASP Isokpehi appears to align with this judicial position. Police spokesperson Placid had earlier reiterated that recording police officers on duty is a “legitimate tool for public accountability” that should not attract harassment.

The Anambra State Police Command gave a firm assurance that the outcome of the disciplinary process will be made public. “The Command further assures Ndi Anambra and the general public that the outcome of the disciplinary process will be made public and that any officer found culpable will face appropriate sanctions in accordance with the law and police regulations,” the statement read.

The command also used the opportunity to issue a direct reminder to its personnel. “The Command also uses this opportunity to remind officers and men of the Command to remain professional, emotionally balanced, and respectful while carrying out their lawful duties, especially in this era where actions and conduct are constantly subjected to public scrutiny,” it stated.

Commissioner Orutugu praised members of the public and civil society groups for their role in bringing the video to wider attention, describing their intervention as a contribution to police accountability. “The Command appreciates members of the public, civil society groups, and social media users who continue to assist the Police with credible information capable of improving service delivery and accountability,” the statement read. “Residents are encouraged to continue reporting incidents or behaviours capable of undermining public peace, safety, and confidence in security agencies.”

Drug Test Ordered as Anambra Police Discipline ASP Who Threatened to Kill Bystanders Filming Him

FRSC Officials Disarm Alleged DSS Officer After Shooting Incident In Abuja

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has condemned what it described as an armed attack on its personnel by a suspected operative of the Department of State Services (DSS) during a routine traffic enforcement operation in Abuja.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday around 3:20 p.m. at the RS7.118 Idu Unit Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), involving a motorist driving a Toyota Carina who allegedly refused to comply with traffic officials before opening fire during a confrontation.

According to a statement issued by the Corps Public Education Officer, Deputy Corps Commander Osondu Ohaeri, the enforcement team had initially flagged down the driver over a suspected traffic violation.

The FRSC explained that instead of complying with lawful directives, the suspect allegedly drove recklessly in an attempt to evade officials before traffic congestion forced the vehicle to stop close to the command office.

The statement said FRSC personnel approached the vehicle for routine verification of the driver’s licence and vehicle documents, but the situation quickly escalated after the suspect reportedly became aggressive and resisted lawful enforcement procedures.

“Despite several tactical and professional attempts by FRSC personnel to de-escalate the situation, the offender escalated the confrontation by physically advancing toward officers and later drawing a pistol, which he fired twice within the vicinity of the Command,” the statement said.

The Corps disclosed that its personnel acted professionally despite the danger and successfully overpowered and disarmed the suspect without any loss of life.

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“In the face of imminent danger to lives and property, FRSC personnel acted with remarkable restraint, professionalism, and tactical discipline to swiftly disarm the assailant without loss of life,” the statement added.

The FRSC confirmed that one road marshal sustained minor bruises during the struggle with the suspect.

Following the incident, the suspect was reportedly handed over to operatives of the Nigeria Police Force at the Life Camp Police Station alongside the firearm, ammunition components and the Toyota Carina involved in the incident.

Preliminary investigations later identified the suspect as a personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), while the case has since been transferred to the appropriate state command for further investigation and disciplinary procedures.

Reacting to the development, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, commended the officers involved for displaying professionalism, maturity and tactical discipline despite the tense atmosphere and outrage from members of the public at the scene.

“He further stated unequivocally that no individual, regardless of status, rank, or agency affiliation, is above the law,” the statement noted.

The Corps Marshal stressed that all security personnel must lead by example by obeying traffic laws and respecting constituted authorities.

“Firearms and official status must never be used as instruments of intimidation against law enforcement officers carrying out legitimate duties,” he said.

The incident has sparked fresh conversations about inter-agency relations, professionalism and the conduct of armed personnel during public enforcement operations in Nigeria.

Security analysts have also praised the FRSC officials for preventing what could have escalated into a fatal security incident in the nation’s capital.

Eyewitnesses around the Idu area reportedly fled for safety after hearing gunshots, while traffic movement was briefly disrupted as security personnel secured the scene.

As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident or confirm the identity of the officer involved.

The FRSC, however, called on all security agencies to strengthen inter-agency cooperation, mutual respect and operational discipline in the interest of national security and public safety.

FRSC Officials Disarm Alleged DSS Officer After Shooting Incident In Abuja