The Oyo State Police Command has claimed that a story claiming the death of one of the pupils abducted during a recent terrorist attack on three schools in Ahoro-Esienle, Oriire Local Government Area, is not only mischievous but also completely false.
DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command’s spokeswoman, stated in a statement posted Friday.
The Command’s PPRO attributed the bogus report to those who spread misinformation.
The statement read, “The Oyo State Police Command has observed with grave concern the circulation of a malicious and entirely unfounded report alleging that one of the schoolchildren abducted during the recent incident at Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, has died while in captivity.
“The Command categorically states that the report is false, misleading, mischievous, and without any factual basis whatsoever.
“At no time has the Oyo State Police Command, nor any other recognized security agency involved in the ongoing rescue efforts, confirmed such a development.
“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 wishes to assure members of the public that concerted efforts by security agencies remain ongoing and that all operational activities concerning the incident are being pursued with the utmost professionalism, diligence, and confidentiality.
“The dissemination of false information at such a critical time has the potential to jeopardize ongoing efforts, cause unnecessary trauma to affected families, and mislead the general public.”
“Consequently, the Oyo State Police Command strongly cautions individuals, bloggers, social media influencers, online content creators, and media platforms against the publication or amplification of 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 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, fearmongering, and the deliberate distortion of facts for ulterior motives,” the command said.
DSP Alayande asked the public to dismiss the entire publication and instead rely entirely on information supplied through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other recognized government institutions.
The command assured people of its unwavering commitment to public safety and security and stated that it will continue to keep them informed of verifiable developments as circumstances require.
