Oyo State Government Denies Ransom Claims in Abduction Case

The Oyo State Government has officially refuted allegations made by social media activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), claiming that the state paid ransom to secure the release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. In a statement released on Friday, the state government dismissed the assertion as entirely false, labeling the spread of such claims as a deliberate attempt by “irresponsible bloggers” to misinform the public and disrupt security efforts.

Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Commissioner for Information, emphasized that no ransom has been paid to the kidnappers, either directly or indirectly, by the state or federal authorities. He clarified that all ongoing rescue operations are being conducted exclusively through legitimate security channels and professional interventions.

The government urged residents to exercise caution regarding unverified reports circulating on social media, stressing that the spread of such misinformation could jeopardize the delicate rescue process. Prince Oyelade reaffirmed the state’s commitment to collaborating with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abductees.

Addressing the public directly, the statement read, “The claim that the Oyo State Government paid ransom to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers is far from the truth. It is the handiwork of irresponsible bloggers whose intention is to create confusion and misinform the public.”

The government advised the public to rely strictly on official communication channels for updates regarding the incident. Authorities reiterated that they remain fully focused on achieving a successful resolution to the crisis while maintaining their stance against yielding to criminal demands.