Oyo State Police refute claims of abducted schoolchild's death in captivity
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed as false a report alleging that one of the schoolchildren abducted from Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, died while in captivity. In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, the police described the report as “malicious, misleading and entirely unfounded,” designed to incite panic and undermine rescue operations. The Command clarified that neither it nor any other security agency involved in the rescue efforts has confirmed the death of any abducted pupil. The police expressed concern over the circulation of such reports, noting that they employ emotional narratives and unverified accounts to manipulate public opinion. They warned that spreading unverified security-related information could jeopardize ongoing operations, distress victims' families, and embolden criminals. The Command cautioned bloggers, social media influencers, and online publishers against circulating unverified reports, urging them to adhere to professional standards and verify sensitive information. The police appealed to the public to rely only on official communications from the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized security agencies for credible updates, reaffirming their commitment to the safe rescue of the abducted schoolchildren.
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