Oriire abduction: Oyo govt denies payment of ransom to kidnappers

The Oyo State Government has denied reports claiming payment of ransom was made to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area.

Bandits on May 15 attacked Baptist Nursery/Primary School Yawota, L.A. Primary School, Esiele, and the Community Grammar School Esiele in Orire LGA, where a teachers and pupils were abducted and marched into the forest.

In a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by the state Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, the government described the allegation as false and midleading.

Oyelade described the claim as “far from the truth” and a deliberate attempt by bloggers to create confusion and misinform the public.

He said that the state and Federal government have been making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers and no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly.

The commissioner advised members of the public to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through official government channels.

Oyelade said that the state government was working closely with security agencies to ensure safe release of the abductees and bring the sad event to a close.