The Oyo State government has dismissed widespread social media claims that teachers and students abducted in the recent attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area have regained their freedom.

Abayomi Fagbenro, Special Adviser on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, said there was no truth in the viral posts suggesting that the hostages had been released. He spoke in response to mounting speculation online, where conflicting narratives had circulated for hours.

“As of 10:35 a.m., it’s not true,” Fagbenro stated, stressing that official channels had not confirmed any release and urging the public to disregard unverified reports.

The attack, which occurred in the Ahoro-Esinle/Yawota axis of Ogbomoso, left at least two people dead and led to the abduction of about 30 teachers and students from three schools: Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and LEA Primary School, Esiele.

Governor Makinde later disclosed that seven students were taken from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were seized from First Baptist Primary and Nursery School. He also confirmed that one person was killed during the raid, underscoring the brutality of the assault on the rural education communities.

Confusion deepened after unverified posts began to circulate, some claiming that all abductees had been freed, others insisting the reports were fabricated. Many users questioned the authenticity of the claims, pointing out that no mainstream news outlet had reported any successful rescue.

The Oyo State Police Command also moved to calm the speculation. Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said he was not aware of any release of the victims. He added that security agencies were intensifying efforts to secure their freedom and bring the perpetrators to justice.

At the federal level, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu ordered the deployment of additional detectives from Force Headquarters in Abuja to reinforce the joint security team already on the ground. The Defence Headquarters announced that troops had established contact with the abductors and were working toward a safe rescue operation.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, called for a “careful, clinical and timely” operation, warning that the safety of the children and teachers must remain paramount as security forces move to end the ordeal.