The Oluyole Local Government and state Police command have dismissed reports of an alleged abduction of three workers in the Olojuoro area of Oluyole Local Government Area.
This was as the executive chairman of the council faulted what he described as an afterthought by the factory owner at the centre of the claims.
Earlier reports had alleged that three workers at a concrete block factory in Olojuoro were kidnapped at gunpoint while having breakfast at a nearby canteen.
The factory owner, Prince Jelili Oyetunde, in a news publication, had claimed that CCTV footage showed the workers being whisked away and that their whereabouts remained unknown.
However, reacting on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade Olatunji, maintained that the narrative does not tally with findings from security agencies and local authorities.
“What they have reported is clearly an afterthought,” Olatunji said, referring to claims by the factory owner. “Kindly go ahead with our report based on the kidnapping story that was earlier circulated. It does not hold water.”
Olatunji disclosed that he had personally reached out to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area as well as traditional authorities, including the Baale of Olojuoro and the Baale of Oluranti, Ogunjimi, all of whom denied knowledge of any kidnapping within the axis.
“I also spoke with the DPO and the Baale of Olojuoro. They claimed ignorance of any kidnapping in that area,” he said. “There was no report, no disturbance, nothing that suggests such an incident took place.”
The council chairman stressed that attempts to link the matter to an ongoing land dispute were misleading, noting that allegations of land grabbing and kidnapping are entirely separate issues.
“Cases of land grabbing and kidnapping are not related,” he said. “Dragging one into the other only creates confusion and fear among residents.”
Backing the state government’s position, the Oyo State Police Command also dismissed the abduction claim.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, said there was no record of such an incident in the local government.
He explained that there was no case of abduction in the local government as reported adding that preliminary investigation by the police indicates that no kidnapping occurred.
Olatunji warned against what he described as false reporting capable of inciting panic, especially at a sensitive political time.
“In fact, those raising false alarm should be arrested and prosecuted by the Nigeria Police for causing panic among residents of Oluyole.
“This matter should be thoroughly investigated, particularly as it may have political undertone in this political period,” Olatunji said.
Despite the controversy, Oyetunde had earlier stated that the matter was reported to the police and that parties involved are expected to appear before the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbing Agency on Wednesday, March 4, over related disputes.
Oluyole local government and the state police command, however, insisted that there is no verified case of abduction in Oluyole Local Government, urging residents to remain calm and avoid amplifying unconfirmed claims capable of unsettling the area.
