Oyo Govt Denies Paying Ransom for Abducted Oriire Pupils, Faults Viral VDM Claim

The Oyo State Government has denied claims that it paid ransom to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation made by social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), as false.

The government was reacting to a viral video in which VDM alleged that the state had paid ransom to the terrorists, but the abductors still refused to release the victims.

The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when terrorists attacked schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area. During the attack, a teacher and a motorcycle rider were killed, while 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted.

In the viral video, VDM also claimed that President Bola Tinubu had moved on despite the victims remaining in captivity.

Responding in a post on its official X account, the Oyo State Government dismissed the allegation, insisting that no ransom had been paid at any point.

"This is false. The Oyo State Government did not at any time pay ransom for the release of the children and teachers abducted in Oriire LGA. The government has been collaborating with security agencies to ensure they are safely returned to their families," the statement read.

The government reiterated its commitment to working closely with security agencies to secure the safe release of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers and urged the public to disregard misinformation capable of causing unnecessary panic or undermining ongoing rescue efforts.