The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that schoolchildren and teachers abducted from communities in Orire Local Government Area have regained their freedom.
The command described the reports as false and misleading, stressing that no such development had occurred as of Thursday. It urged residents and members of the public to disregard the viral messages and rely only on information released through official channels.
The clarification comes as anxiety continues to grow among families and residents over the fate of more than 40 pupils and teachers kidnapped during a coordinated attack on schools in the area last month.
In a statement issued in Ibadan by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the command said the claim that the victims had been released was entirely unsubstantiated.
According to the statement, the police became aware of messages spreading across various social media platforms alleging that the abducted pupils and teachers from Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities had been freed by their captors.
The command, however, said there was no truth in the reports.
“The Command states unequivocally that the claim is false, misleading, and entirely unsubstantiated. As of the time of this release, there has been no such development, and members of the public are advised to disregard the report in its entirety,” the statement said.
The police assured residents that security agencies had not relaxed efforts to secure the release of the victims. It said rescue operations were continuing with the deployment of all available resources to ensure the safe return of the abducted children and their teachers.
The command added that security personnel were working around the clock to reunite the victims with their families and bring those responsible for the abduction to justice.
“Security operatives are working tirelessly, deploying all available human and operational resources to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers, their unharmed reunification with their families, and the apprehension and prosecution of all those responsible for the heinous act,” the statement added.
The abduction occurred on Friday, May 15, 2026, when gunmen reportedly launched coordinated attacks on several schools in Orire Local Government Area.
The affected schools included Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community High School in Ahoro-Esiele, and L.A. Primary School in the area.
The attackers reportedly stormed the schools during school hours and abducted dozens of pupils along with some teachers, creating panic among residents and sending shockwaves across Oyo State and beyond.
The incident drew widespread condemnation from citizens, civil society groups, religious organisations and political leaders, many of whom called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
The attack also renewed concerns about the growing threat of school kidnappings in parts of Nigeria. Over the past few years, several schools across the country have come under attack by criminal groups seeking ransom payments from families and authorities.
Although many victims in previous incidents were eventually rescued or released, such attacks have continued to raise questions about the safety of schools, particularly in rural communities where security presence is often limited.
In Oyo State, the abduction of the pupils and teachers generated widespread concern because of the large number of victims involved and the fact that young children were among those taken away.
Since the incident, parents and relatives have been waiting anxiously for positive news about the victims while security agencies continue search and rescue efforts.
The police warned that the circulation of false reports could complicate ongoing operations and create unnecessary confusion.
According to the command, spreading unverified information has the potential to cause panic among residents, heighten the emotional distress of affected families and undermine security efforts.
The statement therefore cautioned individuals and groups against sharing information that has not been verified by relevant authorities.
“While appreciating the concern and interest of members of the public regarding the incident, the Command strongly cautions individuals and groups against the dissemination of false information, unverified reports, and sensational narratives capable of causing unnecessary panic, heightening public anxiety, undermining ongoing security operations, and threatening public peace and order,” the police said.
The command urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies. It also encouraged members of the public to support ongoing efforts by providing useful information that could assist investigations and rescue operations.
Authorities further advised citizens to depend only on official statements from the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government agencies for updates concerning the incident.
The police assured residents that they remain committed to securing the release of all the victims and would continue to provide accurate information as developments unfold.
For many families affected by the abduction, however, the wait continues. While rumours of a release briefly raised hopes, Thursday’s statement confirmed that the victims are still in captivity.