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The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed reports claiming that one of the pupils abducted during the recent attack on three schools in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, died while in captivity.
In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, described the report as false and baseless, saying it did not originate from the police or any security agency involved in efforts to secure the victims’ release.
PRESS RELEASE
OYO STATE POLICE COMMAND DEBUNKS FALSE REPORT OF DEATH OF ABDUCTED SCHOOLCHILD, WARNS PURVEYORS OF MISINFORMATION
The Oyo State Police Command has observed with grave concern the circulation of a malicious and entirely unfounded report alleging that one of the…
— Oyo State Police Command (@OyoPoliceNG) June 5, 2026
According to the police, the publication was fabricated and designed to spread fear, create panic and undermine ongoing rescue operations. The command said the report relied on speculation, unverified claims and emotional narratives aimed at misleading the public and causing unnecessary anxiety among residents.
The police noted that such misinformation could hinder security efforts, traumatise affected families and serve the interests of criminal groups that thrive on public fear and uncertainty.
The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command has observed with grave concern the circulation of a malicious and entirely unfounded report alleging that one of the schoolchildren abducted during the recent incident at Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, has died while in captivity.“The Command categorically states that the report is false, misleading, mischievous, and without any factual basis whatsoever. At no time has the Oyo State Police Command, nor any other recognised security agency involved in the ongoing rescue efforts, confirmed such a development. The publication is a fabrication carefully crafted by individuals whose objective is to arouse unnecessary public sentiment, create panic, spread fear, and undermine ongoing security operations.
“It is particularly disturbing that the authors of the report deliberately employed emotional narratives, speculative claims, and unverified accounts in a calculated attempt to manipulate public opinion and generate anxiety among residents. Such conduct not only constitutes a disservice to responsible journalism but also advances the very objectives of criminal elements and terror merchants who thrive on fear, uncertainty, and public distress.
“The Command wishes to assure members of the public that concerted efforts by security agencies remain ongoing and that all operational activities concerning the incident are being pursued with the utmost professionalism, diligence, and confidentiality. The dissemination of false information at such a critical time has the potential to jeopardise ongoing efforts, cause unnecessary trauma to affected families, and mislead the general public.”
The command stressed that security agencies remain actively engaged in efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers, adding that operations are being conducted professionally and discreetly.
It also warned bloggers, social media users, online content creators and media organisations against circulating unverified security-related information, saying the spread of false reports capable of causing public disorder was irresponsible and unacceptable.
“Consequently, the Oyo State Police Command strongly cautions individuals, bloggers, social media influencers, online content creators, and media platforms against the publication or amplification of unverified security-related information. The indiscriminate sharing of false reports, particularly those capable of inciting fear or causing public disorder, is irresponsible and unacceptable.
“The Command therefore appeals to all media houses, bloggers, and online content creators to exercise professionalism, responsibility, and due diligence in the discharge of their duties. They must refrain from becoming unwitting accomplices to those whose stock-in-trade is misinformation, fearmongering, and the deliberate distortion of facts for ulterior motives,” the statement added.
Residents were advised to disregard the report and rely only on updates issued through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government agencies.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to public safety and pledged to provide verified information on the case as developments emerge.
