Following the circulation of a report that one of the schoolchildren abducted during the recent incident at Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, has died while in captivity, the Oyo State Police Command has dismissed it, describing it as not only malicious, but entirely unfounded.
The Command, which said that such a development has not been confirmed by the Command or any other recognized security agency involved in the ongoing rescue efforts,
stated that the report is false, misleading, mischievous, and without any factual basis.
The Command’s spokesman, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, in a statement on Friday, June 5, said: “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 assured members of the public that security agencies are making ongoing efforts, with all operational activities concerning the incident being pursued with the utmost professionalism, diligence, and confidentiality, to ensure the release of the abductees.
The Command noted that the dissemination of false information at a critical time being experienced has the potential to jeopardize ongoing efforts, cause unnecessary trauma to affected families, and mislead the general public.
It warned individuals, bloggers, social media influencers, online content creators, and media platforms against the publication or amplification of unverified security-related information, saying that it is irresponsible and unacceptable, and could incite fear or cause public disorder.
“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, fear mongering, and deliberate distortion of facts for ulterior motives.
“Members of the public are advised to disregard the said publication in its entirety and rely solely on information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government agencies.
“The Oyo State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to public safety and security and will continue to keep residents appropriately informed of verified developments as circumstances warrant,” the PPRO added.
