The Oyo State Government has dismissed allegations by social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), that it paid ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the claim as false and misleading.
The government, in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said reports circulating on social media that ransom had been paid to the kidnappers were “far from the truth” and intended to create confusion among members of the public. Oyelade maintained that neither the Oyo State Government nor the Federal Government had paid any ransom, directly or indirectly, to the abductors. He said security agencies, in collaboration with both levels of government, were still working to ensure the safe return of the abducted pupils and their teachers.
”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,” the commissioner said.
He urged residents to ignore unverified reports on social media and rely only on official information from the government, warning that misinformation could undermine ongoing rescue efforts.
The reaction followed a Facebook post by VDM, who alleged that the state government had paid ransom but that the kidnappers still refused to release the victims.
He 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 freedom.
The victims were abducted on May 15 when armed men attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. During the attack, one teacher was killed while dozens of pupils and teachers were taken into captivity.
Despite weeks of security operations, the victims have yet to regain their freedom.
The kidnapping has sparked public outrage, with parents, residents and civil society groups repeatedly calling on the government and security agencies to bring the children and their teachers home safely.
