Paul Ibe, Senior Special Adviser on Media to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has questioned the Federal Government’s account of the release of abducted schoolchildren and their teachers in Oriire, Oyo State.
In a statement posted on his official X account on Saturday, July 18, 2026, Ibe referenced comments by one of the released teachers, Mr. Olatunde Zacchaeus, which he said differed from the version presented by Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga had announced that security operatives rescued the abducted pupils and their teachers. However, in an interview with Info FM, Zacchaeus said the victims were released by their captors, prompting public debate over the circumstances of their freedom.
Reacting to the differing accounts, Ibe argued that Onanuga’s statement conflicted with the teacher’s account. While he did not explicitly claim that a ransom was paid, he suggested the contradiction could raise questions about whether payment was made to secure the victims’ release.
Ibe expressed the views in a post shared on his official X account.
