Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has dismissed viral photos circulating on social media that were falsely linked to the abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, describing them as misleading and unrelated to the incident.
In a statement shared online, Onanuga said an analysis by Africa54Research confirmed that the images being spread were not from Nigeria but from Mali.
He explained that the photographs originated from an incident in June 2020, when a teacher was seen flogging students in Mali, and have now been wrongly repurposed online to suggest they show the kidnapped Oyo pupils.
“Some of the images being shared as those of the kidnapped schoolkids of Oyo State were of maltreated kids in Mali,” he said.
He added:
“Pictures taken in Mali in June 2020, when a teacher flogged his young students, have been shared on social media to make people believe they are the pictures of the abducted Oyo students, an analysis by Africa54Research has revealed.”
Onanuga also alleged that the spread of such images may be deliberate, aimed at causing panic and undermining ongoing rescue efforts.
He said those circulating the photos are likely attempting to destabilise public confidence and discredit the government and security agencies at a time when efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the abducted pupils and their teachers.
Authorities have continued rescue operations following the abduction, while urging the public to verify information before sharing unconfirmed reports online.
