The police command in Oyo state has dismissed claim that one of the schoolchildren abducted in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire LGA, died while in captivity.
In a statement issued on Friday, the command described the report as false, misleading and designed to incite panic among residents.
The police said neither the police nor any security agency involved in efforts to rescue the abducted pupils had confirmed such development.
“The report is false, misleading, mischievous, and without any factual basis whatsoever,” the statement reads.
The command accused the authors of the report of deliberately using unverified claims and emotional narratives to manipulate public opinion and create fear.
“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,” the statement added.
The police said ongoing rescue operations are being pursued with professionalism and confidentiality, warning that the spread of false information could undermine security efforts and inflict further trauma on affected families.
The command cautioned bloggers, social media influencers, online content creators and media organisations against publishing 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 statement said.
The police urged residents to disregard the report and rely only on information released through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorised government agencies.
The command reiterated its commitment to public safety and assured residents that verified updates on the incident would be communicated as necessary.
Several schoolchildren were recently abducted by gunmen in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire LGA, prompting a coordinated rescue effort by security agencies.
The police said investigations and rescue operations remain ongoing.
