(Nigeria Police Force. Photo Credit: Punch News)
The Nigeria Police Force has come out to debunk a video spreading rapidly online that falsely portrays scenes from the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
According to the police, the footage has no connection to the incident and did not even originate from Nigeria.
Speaking through their official online platforms, the Force described the clip as an old video being deliberately recycled to mislead the public and stir up unnecessary fear.
The police cautioned that sharing unverified content about active security situations can distort public perception and potentially interfere with ongoing rescue operations.
They urged Nigerians to get their updates only from official and verified sources, and to resist the urge to share unconfirmed material that could heighten public anxiety.
In the meantime, security agencies confirmed that operations in Oyo State have been intensified, with more personnel and intelligence resources deployed to track down and rescue the victims.
Officials reaffirmed their commitment to bringing the abducted children and teachers home safely, though they withheld specific operational details to avoid compromising the mission.
The police wrapped up with a strong appeal for responsible online behaviour, particularly around sensitive security matters.
They stressed that misinformation even when shared without bad intent can create confusion and set back rescue efforts.
The public was reminded to always verify information before sharing it, and to treat official statements as the most trustworthy source of updates while investigations continue.
