POLICE DENY ARRESTING PASTOR OVER SCHOOL ABDUCTION
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The Oyo State Police Command has denied reports that say a pastor was arrested for giving weapons and ammunition to people involved in abducting students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
In a statement released on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the command called the stories spreading on some media and social media platforms as false, misleading, and not true.
The statement mentioned that a Facebook post claimed a pastor was arrested for helping the abductors by supplying guns, but it didn’t give the pastor’s name or address.
The police said they did not make such an arrest, and no other security agency involved in the rescue operation has either.
The statement, “The attention of the Oyo State Police Command has been drawn to false and misleading reports circulating across some media outlets, online publications, and a Facebook post that has also surfaced on some other platform, alleging that a pastor was arrested for supplying arms and ammunition to individuals involved in the abduction of students and teachers in Orire.
“The Command wishes to categorically state that this claim is entirely false, misleading, and unfounded. The Facebook post, which did not mention the name or address of the pastor, further claimed that the cleric was a gun runner for the bandits. However, the Command wishes to state that no such arrest has been made by the Police or any other known security agency involved in the ongoing rescue operation, and investigation is ongoing.”
The command said it viewed the publication as a deliberate attempt to distract security operatives from ongoing rescue efforts and undermine public confidence in the security agencies.
“The Command views this publication as a deliberate attempt to distract security operatives from ongoing rescue efforts and to cast doubt on the integrity, commitment, and professionalism of personnel working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the victims,” the statement added.
It urged members of the public to disregard the report and rely only on official updates issued through the verified communication channels of the Oyo State Police Command.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to disregard the false report and rely only on official updates issued through verified channels of the Oyo State Police Command,” it added.
The police also warned individuals and platforms spreading false information to desist, noting that anyone found culpable of disseminating misinformation capable of undermining public confidence or security operations would be investigated and prosecuted.
“Furthermore, individuals and platforms involved in the deliberate spread of false information are warned to desist, as the Command will not hesitate to invoke all lawful means to identify, investigate, arrest, and prosecute anyone found culpable of disseminating misinformation capable of undermining public confidence and ongoing security operations,” the statement added.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to securing the safe rescue of the abducted victims and maintaining public safety across the state.
The Oyo State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safe rescue of the abducted victims and maintaining public safety across the State,” the statement added.
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