No Release Yet of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

No Release Yet of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers — Makinde’s Aide

Oyo State officials have dismissed viral claims that abducted pupils, students, and teachers from schools in Oriire LGA have been released, confirming no freedom has been secured. Authorities say security operations are ongoing after gunmen attacked three schools, killing at least one person and abducting about 30 victims, including children.

The Special Adviser on Security to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Abayomi Fagbenro, has dismissed viral social media reports claiming that pupils, students, and teachers abducted during last Friday’s attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area had regained freedom.

The attack, which occurred in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso, reportedly led to the killing of at least two persons and the abduction of about 30 teachers and students.

Since Wednesday night, several social media posts had circulated online claiming that the victims had been released, while others described the reports as false and unverified.

Reacting to the development on Thursday, Fagbenro stated that no abducted victim had been released as of Thursday morning.

“As of 10:35 am, it’s not true,” he said while responding to inquiries concerning the viral claims.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Oyo State, Olayinka Ayanlade, also said he was unaware of any release of the kidnapped victims.

Ayanlade, however, assured that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure the safe release of those abducted during the attack.

Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, announced the deployment of additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to support ongoing rescue operations in collaboration with other security agencies.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, had also called for a “careful, clinical and timely” operation to rescue the abducted pupils, students, and teachers.

Earlier, the Defence Headquarters disclosed that troops had already made contact with the abductors and were working toward rescuing the victims.

Governor Makinde also confirmed that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of those kidnapped during the attack.

The gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and LEA Primary School, Esiele, abducting several pupils, students, and teachers.

According to Makinde, seven students were kidnapped from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were abducted from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. He also confirmed that one person was killed during the attack.