The Oyo State Police Command has cautioned residents against the circulation of false and unverified information regarding the abduction of pupils and teachers at community schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The Police stated that reports claiming the victims have regained freedom were entirely false and misleading.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, PPRO, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement on Thursday, debunked viral messages, circulating in social media, alleging that the pupils and teachers abducted from Ahoro Esiele and Yawota communities had been released by their captors.

The police described the reports as misleading, unsubstantiated and capable of undermining ongoing rescue efforts.

According to the statement, "the Oyo State Police Command, categorically, debunked the viral messages currently circulating across various social media platforms, alleging that the pupils and teachers abducted from Ahoro Esiele and Yawota Communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been released by their abductors.”

The Command said that there has been no such development as of the time of issuing the statement, urging members of the public to disregard the reports in their entirety.

The police reassured residents and families of the victims that intensive rescue operations remain ongoing, with security agencies deploying all available resources to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Residents were, therefore, urged to rely only on information released through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government agencies.

The police further appealed to citizens to remain calm, vigilant and supportive of security efforts, while refraining from sharing unverified content on social media and other communication platforms.

DSP Ayanlade Olayinka reiterated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged the public to support ongoing operations by avoiding the spread of unverified information.