Oyo govt denies reports of Oriire school abductees’ release

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State Government on Thursday denied reports circulating on social media claiming that teachers and pupils abducted during last Friday’s attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area had regained their freedom.

The Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, Abayomi Fagbenro, described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that the victims were still being held captive as of Thursday morning.

Gunmen had attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota area of Ogbomoso in Oriire LGA, killing at least two persons and abducting about 30 teachers and pupils during the assault.

The affected schools include Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and LEA Primary School, Esiele, where the attackers reportedly invaded classrooms before whisking away the victims.

Amid growing anxiety among residents, unverified reports emerged online on Thursday claiming that the abducted victims had been released, prompting the state government to issue a clarification.

“As of 10:35 a.m., it is not true,” Fagbenro said while responding to enquiries on the alleged release of the victims.

The Oyo State Police Command also said it had not received any information confirming the release, adding that security agencies were still intensifying efforts to secure the freedom of the abducted teachers and pupils.

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, had earlier deployed additional detectives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to support rescue operations, while Governor Makinde assured residents that the government and security agencies were working to ensure the safe return of the victims.