Oyo police vow safe return of Oriire kidnap victims as probe continues

Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, the Oyo State commissioner of police, has disclosed that investigations into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area were ongoing, assuring residents that the command remained committed to securing the safe release of the victims.

Olugbenga who made the call while receiving members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, during a courtesy visit to the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan
however called for stronger collaboration between the police and the media in tackling insecurity, stressing that effective policing requires the active support of journalists and the public.

Describing security as a shared responsibility, the commissioner said the police and the media must work in synergy to promote public safety and combat misinformation capable of undermining security operations.

“We exist because of the society of which we are part. Both the police and the press have responsibilities to the public. There is a need for synergy to make everything work together for the good of society,” he said.

The Oyo State Police commissioner cautioned journalists against speculative reporting, noting that the rise of social media had fuelled the spread of unverified information. There is no room for speculative journalism. What we need is lifelong investigative journalism. Today, anyone can cook up a story without confirming it because of the pressure of social media,” he said.

Olugbenga warned against publishing unverified reports merely to attract public attention, urging journalists to uphold the ethics of accuracy, fairness and professionalism.

The commissioner also acknowledged the need to strengthen communication skills within the police, noting that not all officers possess adequate writing skills.

He welcomed a proposal by the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel to organise a joint capacity-building workshop for journalists and police officers to enhance professional communication and deepen mutual understanding.

Earlier, Yinka Adeniran, Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, commended the commissioner for what he described as proactive and people-oriented policing, noting that the command’s prompt dissemination of information had strengthened the relationship between security agencies and the media.

He also expressed confidence in the command’s efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire, urging the police not to be discouraged by public anxiety over the incident.

Adeniran, however, called for intensified efforts to combat fake news and misinformation surrounding security matters, warning that false reports often heighten public tension and undermine ongoing operations.

He also advocated regular engagement and joint training programmes between journalists and the police to improve communication and strengthen collaboration in addressing security challenges.

The NUJ delegation included the Chapel Secretary, Rotimi Agboluaje; Assistant Secretary, Kazeem Awojoodu; Treasurer, Shehu Sulaimon; and Auditor, Abiola Olowe.

Senior police officers at the meeting included the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Isiaka Salahudeen; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ekanem Useni; Deputy Commissioner of Police (Finance and Administration), Afolashade Barigboye; the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Olayinka Ayanlade and others.