The Presidency has dismissed viral images circulating on social media and purportedly showing the abducted schoolchildren from Oyo State, describing them as misleading and unrelated to the incident.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, I. A statement said investigations by Africa54Research revealed that the photographs were actually taken in Mali in June 2020.
According to the statement, the images depict young students who were allegedly flogged by a teacher in Mali and have no connection to the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State.
The Presidency alleged that those circulating the pictures were likely sympathisers of terrorist groups seeking to create panic among Nigerians and undermine public confidence in the government and security agencies.
It maintained that security forces are actively working to secure the release of the abducted pupils and their teachers, urging the public to disregard unverified images and avoid spreading misinformation.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safe return of the victims while continuing efforts to combat insecurity across the country.
