Oyo govt dismisses VDM’s claims on Oriire abductees

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Oyo State Government has dismissed claim by social media influencer, VeryDarkMan (VDM) that it has paid ransom to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by bandits from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state about a month ago.

VeryDarkMan had in a video circulation on the social media claimed that Oyo State Government had paid ransom to free the schoolchildren and the teachers, but the bandits refused to release them after releasing the money.

He also claimed President Bola Tinubu is no longer showing concern for the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.

Consequently, the social media influencer had advised Nigerians to mobilize for release of the students.

However, Oyo Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, in a statement on Friday described the claim of VeryDarkMan as “far from the truth” and a deliberate attempt by “irresponsible bloggers” to create confusion and misinform the public.

The Commissioner said contrary to the claim of the social media influencer, Oyo State government is working with the Federal Governments in concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers.

He afformed that no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly while urging members of the public to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through official government channels.

Oyelade said the Oyo State Government is also working closely with security agencies to ensure safe release of the abductees and bring this sad event to a close.

More than 40 pupils/students and seven teachers of three schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area were abducted by terrorists on May 15.

The abduction had led to protests by students, Civil Society Organisations and labour groups across the country.

The protesters were demanding urgent government action to free children and the teachers who have been in captivity since May 15.

Nigerian military authorities blamed Boko Haram for the mass abduction, the first of such incidents in the Southwest part of the country.

However, President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly affirmed commitment to safe rescue of the schoolchildren and their teachers abducted in Oyo State and other parts of the country.