The Nigeria Police Force has said it is not aware of any ransom demand made by abductors of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, stated this on Monday, June 22, during a visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
He said security agencies were working in coordination to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and their teachers.
Responding to questions about alleged ransom negotiations, Fayoade dismissed the claims, stressing that the police do not engage in such discussions.
“We don’t know anything about ransom because we don’t talk about ransom. All efforts are directed towards getting the abductees freed safely,” he said.
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He further assured that efforts were ongoing across multiple security agencies to secure the release of the victims in record time.
“All agencies, including government, are working very hard, and I can assure you that within the shortest possible time, those children and their teachers will be free,” he added.
Fayoade explained that his visit to Lagos was part of routine operational oversight aimed at strengthening policing strategies and improving response to emerging security challenges.
He said the outcomes of his engagements would be submitted to the Inspector-General of Police for further action, noting that issues such as manpower shortages, officer welfare and logistics remained key concerns.
The police chief also highlighted the increasing use of technology in modern policing, including centralised data systems and artificial intelligence to support intelligence gathering and investigations.