The Presidency has fired a stinging broadside at individuals and groups circulating false information and fabricated images relating to the ongoing abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, alleging that those responsible for spreading such content are likely sympathisers of the terrorist networks responsible for the crisis.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga led the charge after a set of disturbing photographs went viral on social media, purportedly showing the abducted students in captivity. The Presidency swiftly dismissed the images as fabrications, stating that analysis by Africa54Research traced the pictures to Mali, where they were originally taken in June 2020 during an incident in which a teacher reportedly flogged students. Onanuga alleged that the deliberate circulation of the misleading images was a calculated attempt by certain individuals to mislead the public, create panic, and discredit the efforts of government and security forces working to rescue the victims.

He further alleged that those driving the spread of false information were likely sympathisers of terrorist groups, aiming to sabotage ongoing rescue operations and undermine public confidence in the federal government’s security response.

Adding his voice to the matter, Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, also came out strongly against the dangerous trend of sharing unverified security content online. Reacting to outrage over the Oyo abductions on his official X handle, Olusegun warned Nigerians that the kidnappers were themselves active on social media and closely monitored online trends and public conversations for intelligence. He cautioned that sharing operational details or pressing the government for public updates on rescue plans could directly endanger the lives of the abducted children and their teachers.

“You cannot possibly expect the government to update rescue plans on social media if you really have the interest of those kids at heart,” Olusegun wrote. “Concerned, we must. Reckless, we mustn’t.”

The presidential aide also took aim at popular content creator and comedian Nasboi, accusing him of spreading fear after the latter shared a video online that appeared to show armed men in a rural area. Olusegun alleged the footage had no connection to Nigeria whatsoever, stating it was originally sourced from a page that identified the armed individuals as terrorists operating in the Republic of Benin. He warned Nasboi to stop using his large online platform irresponsibly to stoke public anxiety.

The Presidency’s warnings come against the backdrop of a deteriorating security situation in Oyo State, where dozens of schoolchildren and teachers were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area. One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was subsequently killed by the terrorists, and at least 46 victims reportedly remained in captivity weeks after the incident, drawing widespread national and international condemnation.