By Paul Joseph
The Oyo State Government has denied claims that it paid ransom to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation by social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), as false.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said reports circulating on social media that the state government paid kidnappers to free the victims were misleading and capable of creating unnecessary panic.
Oyelade maintained that neither the Oyo State Government nor the Federal Government had paid ransom, directly or indirectly, to the abductors.
He said security agencies, working with both levels of government, were continuing efforts to rescue the victims safely.
“The claim that the Oyo State Government paid ransom to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers is far from the truth. Although efforts are ongoing to rescue them, no ransom has been paid,” he said.
The commissioner urged residents to disregard unverified reports on social media and rely on official government information, warning that misinformation could undermine ongoing rescue operations.
The government’s reaction followed a Facebook post by VeryDarkMan, who alleged that ransom had been paid but that the kidnappers still refused to release the victims.
The activist also expressed concern that the abducted children and teachers had spent about 50 days in captivity and called on authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 after armed men attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. One teacher was killed during the attack, while dozens of pupils and teachers were abducted.
Despite weeks of security operations, the victims remain in captivity, prompting repeated calls from parents, residents and civil society groups for their safe and immediate rescue.
Leave a Reply