July 3 (THEWILL) — The Oyo State Government has denied reports alleging that ransom was paid to bandits holding pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that the victims remain in captivity and that efforts to secure their release are ongoing.
The government described the reports as false and misleading, saying no ransom had been paid to the abductors either directly or indirectly.
A statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said claims circulating on some blogs that the government had paid ransom to facilitate the release of the abducted pupils and teachers were “far from the truth” and intended to mislead the public.
According to him, both the Oyo State and Federal Governments have continued to work in concert with security agencies to secure the safe release of the victims, stressing that negotiations involving ransom payments have not taken place.
“There has been no ransom payment to the bandits, either directly or indirectly. The reports are false and should be disregarded,” the commissioner said.
He urged residents to rely only on official government channels for information on the abduction, warning that the spread of unverified reports could create unnecessary anxiety and undermine ongoing security operations.
The victims were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked Baptist Nursery/Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School, Esiele; and Community Grammar School, Esiele, all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Oyelade appealed to the public to avoid spreading unverified information that could hamper efforts to rescue the victims.
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