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 of the State, had died while in captivity.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, said in a state on Friday evening that the report was false, misleading, mischievous, and without any factual basis whatsoever.
According to him, at no time has the Oyo State Police Command or any other recognised 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,” he said.
The Command assured members of the public that concerted efforts by security agencies remained ongoing and that all operational activities concerning the incident were being pursued with the utmost professionalism, diligence, and confidentiality.
The dissemination of false information at such a critical time has the potential to jeopardise 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,” he added.
The Command, therefore, appealed 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,” he added.
Members of the public were 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 authorised 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 Police spokesman added.