By Zainab Bakare
The Oyo State Government has dismissed viral social media reports claiming that teachers and students abducted during last Friday’s attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area have been released.
Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, Abayomi Fagbenro, described the reports as false, insisting that no official release had been confirmed as of Thursday morning.
Reports say the attack, which occurred in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso in Oriire Local Government Area, left no fewer than two persons dead, while about 30 teachers and students were abducted by gunmen.
Since Wednesday night, several social media posts had circulated online claiming that the victims had regained freedom, while others questioned the authenticity of the reports due to the absence of confirmation from credible news platforms.
Responding to inquiries on Thursday, Fagbenro said, “As of 10:35 am, it’s not true.”
Similarly, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force in Oyo State, Olayinka Ayanlade, said he was unaware of any release of the abducted victims but assured that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure their rescue.
Following the attack, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, announced the deployment of additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to support ongoing rescue operations alongside other security agencies.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, also called for a “careful, clinical and timely” operation to rescue the abducted teachers and students.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters disclosed earlier this week that troops had established contact with the abductors and were working towards securing the safe release of the victims.
Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier assured residents that efforts were ongoing to ensure the abducted teachers and students regain their freedom.
The affected schools include Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and LEA Primary School, Esiele, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
