The Oyo State House of Assembly has expressed serious concern over the growing insecurity in border communities following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
The development comes as the Oyo State Police Command dismissed reports circulating on social media claiming that the abducted victims were flown to Kaduna State by helicopter.
The Speaker of the House, Adebo Ogundoyin, raised the alarm during a strategic security meeting with the Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, at the Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
The meeting focused on the worsening security situation in parts of Oke Ogun and other border communities, where cases of kidnapping and other criminal activities have become a source of concern. It also came amid growing anxiety over the safety of the abducted pupils and teachers as security agencies continue efforts to secure their release.
Speaking after the meeting, Ogundoyin said criminal groups have continued to exploit porous borders and isolated settlements to carry out kidnappings and other violent crimes.
According to him, there is an urgent need to strengthen intelligence gathering, intensify patrol operations and sustain proactive policing across vulnerable communities to better protect lives and property in the state.
The Speaker also commended security agencies for the ongoing rescue efforts, expressing confidence in their professionalism and commitment to ensuring the safe return of the victims.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Police Command has dismissed as false a viral video alleging that the abducted pupils and teachers from Ahoro Esiele and Yawota communities were transported to Kaduna State by helicopter.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, the command described the claim as entirely false, misleading and unsupported by any verified evidence.
The police warned that spreading unverified information could create unnecessary panic, mislead members of the public and interfere with ongoing rescue operations.
According to the command, security agencies, working alongside intelligence services, have intensified efforts to rescue all the victims safely and are deploying every available resource toward achieving that objective.
The command also expressed concern over what it described as deliberate attempts to circulate false information capable of undermining public confidence in the work of security agencies.
It warned that anyone found responsible for originating or sharing misleading reports intended to discredit security operations would face legal action.
The police urged residents to remain calm and rely only on information released through official channels while rescue efforts continue.
Both the State House of Assembly and the police agreed on the need for stronger cooperation among security agencies, the executive arm of government and the legislature to effectively address emerging security challenges across Oyo State.
