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

Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu

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.