Oyo School ∆bduction: Images Circulating Online Not Related to K!dnapped Students, Says Presidency
Oyo School Abduction: Images Circulating Online Not Related to Kidnapped Students, Says Presidency
The Presidency has raised concerns over the circulation of misleading images on social media following the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, warning Nigerians against spreading unverified content capable of fueling panic and misinformation.
Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that some of the photographs being shared online and falsely presented as images of the kidnapped Oyo schoolchildren are, in fact, old pictures from Mali.
According to Onanuga, an investigation conducted by Africa54Research revealed that the images originated from an incident that occurred in Mali in June 2020, where a teacher was accused of physically maltreating young students. The pictures have now resurfaced and are being deliberately misrepresented in connection with the Oyo school abduction.
He alleged that those behind the circulation of the false images may be individuals sympathetic to terrorist groups, whose objective is to create fear, spread confusion, and undermine public confidence in the government’s efforts to secure the release of the abducted students and their teachers.
“The distributors of the images are most probably terrorists’ sympathisers, out to sow fears in our society and paint the government and the security forces black, as the government is making efforts to get the kids and their teachers released,” Onanuga stated.
The Presidency urged members of the public, media organisations, and social media users to verify information before sharing it, especially during sensitive security situations. Officials emphasized that the spread of false information can complicate rescue operations, heighten public anxiety, and provide opportunities for criminal elements to exploit the situation.
Security agencies, meanwhile, continue efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and their teachers, while authorities have called for public cooperation and vigilance.
The development highlights the growing challenge of misinformation during security crises, as government officials continue to battle both criminal activities and the spread of fake news online.
