The South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Adegoke Fayoade, has stated that the Nigeria Police Force is not aware of any ransom demand from the abductors of schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped 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, assuring Nigerians that coordinated security operations were underway to secure the safe release of the victims.
Addressing reports suggesting that the kidnappers had demanded ransom, the DIG maintained that the police do not engage in ransom negotiations and remain focused solely on rescuing the abductees.
“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.
He further revealed that security agencies and government authorities were working closely together to ensure the swift rescue of the pupils and their teachers.
“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,” Fayoade added.
The senior police officer explained that his visit to Lagos formed part of ongoing efforts to strengthen supervision, review operational strategies, and enhance responses to emerging security challenges across the country.
According to him, findings from the visit would be forwarded to the Inspector-General of Police for necessary action, noting that manpower shortages, officers’ welfare, and logistics remain major challenges confronting the force.
Fayoade also highlighted the increasing deployment of technology in modern policing, including the use of centralized data systems and artificial intelligence to support intelligence gathering and criminal investigations.
He expressed confidence that ongoing reforms and inter-agency collaboration would further improve security operations and strengthen the fight against crime across the country.
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