BREAKING: Social media activist VeryDarkMan has claimed that abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State remain in captivity despite an alleged ransom payment.
IBADAN, OYO — VeryDarkMan, a social media activist, has alleged that the Oyo State Government paid a ransom for the release of 39 children and seven teachers who were abducted by gunmen, but the victims have not regained their freedom. He made the claim in a post shared on his social media platforms on Thursday.
According to VeryDarkMan, the state government allegedly made the payment in an effort to secure the release of the victims. He further claimed that the abductors refused to release the children and teachers after receiving the money.
The activist also stated that the victims had spent 49 days in captivity as of the time of his post. He expressed concern over the situation and called attention to the prolonged detention of the pupils and teachers.
Neither the Oyo State Government nor security agencies had publicly confirmed the allegation at the time of filing this report. Authorities also had not issued any statement verifying whether any ransom payment had been made or provided an update on the current status of the victims.
School abductions have remained a major security concern in several parts of Nigeria in recent years, with state governments and security agencies facing increasing pressure to secure the release of victims and improve safety in schools and communities. Human rights groups and education stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger measures to protect children and teachers from criminal attacks.
The development means fresh attention may focus on the fate of the abducted children and teachers, especially if the claims made by VeryDarkMan prompt official responses from the government and security agencies. The case also highlights the continued challenges authorities face in tackling abductions and ensuring the safe return of victims across the country.
