Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has debunked viral images circulating on social media as pictures of abducted Oyo schoolchildren. According to an analysis by Africa54Research, the images were taken in Mali in June 2020 when a teacher flogged his young students.
Onanuga accused terrorists’ sympathisers of distributing the images to sow fear, paint the government and security forces black, and undermine rescue efforts. He reaffirmed that the government is working to secure the release of the victims abducted on May 15 from Oriire LGA.
Key Points:
Misinformation about the abduction distracts from genuine rescue efforts.
False images weaponised by terrorists’ sympathisers to incite public anger against the government.
The public should verify viral content before sharing to avoid spreading propaganda.
The debunking may restore some trust in official communication channels.
However, the core crisis – the continued captivity of the children – remains unresolved.
Citizens are urged to rely on verified information and ignore manipulated images as security agencies intensify rescue operations.
Sources: Bayo Onanuga
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