JUST IN: Oyo police deny reports of pastor's arrest over Orire school abduction

Crime Diary

IBADAN, Nigeria — The Oyo State Police Command has dismissed as false reports claiming that a pastor was arrested for allegedly supplying arms and ammunition to suspects involved in the abduction of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, described the reports circulating on social media and some online platforms as “entirely false, misleading and unfounded.”

According to the command, the viral Facebook post alleged that a pastor, whose identity and address were not disclosed, had been arrested for acting as an arms supplier to the kidnappers.

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The police, however, said no such arrest had been made by the command or any other security agency participating in the ongoing rescue operation.

“The Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is entirely false, misleading and unfounded. No such arrest has been made by the Police or any other known security agency involved in the ongoing rescue operation, while investigations are ongoing,” the statement said.

The command described the publication as a deliberate attempt to distract security operatives from ongoing rescue efforts and undermine public confidence in the professionalism of security personnel.

It urged members of the public to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through the official communication channels of the Oyo State Police Command.

The command also warned individuals and media platforms against spreading unverified information, stating that anyone found responsible for disseminating false reports that could jeopardise security operations would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police reiterated their commitment to securing the safe rescue of the abducted victims and maintaining public safety across Oyo State.