The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a viral video circulating online which falsely claims to show scenes connected to the recent abduction of school children and teachers in Oyo State, stating that the footage is unrelated and originated outside Nigeria.

According to the Force on its X handle on Friday, the clip is an old video being misused to spread misinformation and provoke unnecessary panic among the public.

“This video is unrelated to the incident and is being used to spread misinformation and cause unnecessary panic,” the Police said.

The police warned that the spread of unverified content on social media could distort public understanding of ongoing security operations and hinder rescue efforts.

It urged citizens to rely only on verified updates from official channels and avoid sharing misleading material that could worsen public anxiety.

Security agencies also confirmed that operations have been stepped up following the abduction in Oyo State, with additional personnel and intelligence resources deployed to locate and rescue the victims.

“The Force remains committed to the victims’ rescue,” officials said, adding that coordinated efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the abducted school children and teachers.

Authorities did not provide further operational details but emphasized that all available resources are being used in the search effort.

The police further appealed to the public to exercise caution when sharing content online, especially material relating to sensitive security incidents.

It warned that misinformation could create confusion and undermine ongoing rescue operations, stressing the importance of verification before publication or reposting.

The force reiterated that official statements remain the most reliable source of information as investigations and rescue efforts continue.

The Punch