The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports suggesting that terrorist groups have established a permanent operational base in Nigeria’s South West region following the recent abduction of pupils and staff in Oyo State, describing the incident as an isolated criminal act.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, expressed deep condolences to the families of victims, the government and people of Oyo State, and Nigerians at large over the attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
The affected schools are Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School.
General Oluyede condemned the abduction of innocent children and school staff, describing it as “a callous and reprehensible act that strikes at the heart of every Nigerian.”
He assured grieving families that the Armed Forces of Nigeria was deploying its full operational capacity to secure the safe and unconditional release of all abducted victims.
“The full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe and unconditional return of every abducted victim,” the CDS stated, while calling on Nigerians to remain calm, united, and supportive of ongoing security operations.
The DHQ also moved to counter growing public concerns and media reports alleging the existence of entrenched terrorist camps in the South West, particularly in forest areas linked to the latest attack.
According to the military, intelligence assessments do not support claims of any structured or permanent terrorist presence in the region.
“It is pertinent to state that the incident was an isolated criminal act and does not reflect the existence of any entrenched terrorist structure in the region,” the statement said.
The military noted that troops had previously carried out extensive clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park corridor, neutralising criminal elements operating within the area.
While acknowledging the audacity of recent criminal activities, the DHQ cautioned against narratives capable of creating panic among residents or exaggerating the operational strength of criminal gangs.
The Armed Forces further disclosed that troops currently deployed in the forests had made contact with the kidnappers two days ago and had since reorganised to intensify pursuit and rescue efforts.
The statement added that joint security operations involving other agencies and local vigilante groups were ongoing across forest corridors and ungoverned areas in the South West.
The military also emphasised the importance of community cooperation and human intelligence in tracking the abductors and ensuring the safe recovery of victims.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will not relent until every abducted victim is safely recovered, the criminal networks responsible are dismantled, and normalcy is fully restored across the South West and indeed all of Nigeria,” the statement added.
