The Oyo State Government has dismissed the panic-inducing rumours circulating about an alleged kidnapping incident at the College of Nursing campus in Kishi, describing the report as false and misleading.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Olusegun Olayiwola, explained that the rumour originated from an unfounded alarm raised by some individuals, which created fear among students, lecturers and residents within the institution’s premises.
He assured parents, students and the general public that no kidnapping incident occurred, stressing that the government remains fully committed to maintaining security across the state.
According to him, the safety of students and staff in all educational institutions remains a top priority for the government.
The Commissioner therefore warned those peddling such malicious rumours to desist immediately, noting that spreading false information online is a serious cybercrime punishable under the law.
In a related statement, the Provost of College of Nursing Eleyele Ibadan, Dr. Gbonjubola Owolabi, also described the report as misinformation capable of causing unnecessary panic among students and members of the public.
The management of the institution clarified that after a thorough internal review and verification with security personnel, it was confirmed that no kidnapping occurred on the campus. The authorities also noted that immediate steps had been taken by relevant security agencies to investigate the source of the rumour and strengthen surveillance and monitoring across the campus to prevent future false alarms.
Parents and guardians were therefore urged to remain calm and always verify information through the official communication channels of the state government and the college before reacting to unverified reports.