The South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, has stated that the Nigeria Police Force is unaware of any ransom demand linked to the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Fayoade made the disclosure on Monday during an official visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
Addressing journalists, the DIG assured Nigerians that security agencies are actively working to secure the safe release of the victims and reunite them with their families.
Responding to reports suggesting that kidnappers may have demanded ransom, Fayoade maintained that the police do not engage in discussions relating to ransom payments.
“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.
The senior police officer explained that security agencies have intensified efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers, stressing that multiple stakeholders are involved in the ongoing operation.
According to him, all relevant agencies of government are collaborating to ensure the victims regain their freedom as quickly as possible.
“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 noted that his visit to Lagos formed part of efforts to strengthen supervision, review operational strategies and improve responses to emerging security threats across the country.
He disclosed that observations and recommendations from the visit would be forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police for necessary action.
The DIG also identified manpower shortages, officers’ welfare and logistics as some of the major challenges currently facing the police, adding that steps are being taken to address them.
He further highlighted the increasing role of technology in modern policing, revealing that the force is leveraging centralized data systems, digital tools and artificial intelligence to improve intelligence gathering and criminal investigations.
The assurance comes amid growing public concern over the fate of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers, whose kidnapping has continued to attract national attention and calls for urgent action from authorities.
