Oyo Government Denies Ransom Claims for Abducted Victims

The Oyo State Government issued a statement on Friday denying reports that it paid a ransom for the release of teachers and pupils abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area. Commissioner Dotun Oyelade characterized the allegations as false and misleading, attributing them to irresponsible bloggers seeking to misinform the public.

Oyelade emphasized that neither the state government nor the federal government paid any ransom, either directly or indirectly, to the abductors. He reassured the public that the government is committed to securing the safe release of the abducted individuals through legitimate means.

The Commissioner urged members of the public to disregard the misleading reports and to rely on official government channels for accurate information regarding the situation. The government continues to work closely with security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.