The Defence Headquarters has dismissed claims that terrorist groups have established operational bases in Nigeria’s South-West region, insisting that recent criminal attacks in Oyo State do not amount to an entrenched insurgency presence in the zone.
The clarification comes in the wake of the abduction of pupils, students and staff from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that has sparked widespread concern over growing insecurity in the region.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, the Armed Forces of Nigeria described the attack on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School as “callous and reprehensible.”
General Oluyede extended condolences to the families of the victims, the Oyo State Government and Nigerians at large, assuring the public that security forces were fully committed to rescuing all abducted victims safely.
“The abduction of innocent children and staffs is a callous and reprehensible act that strikes at the heart of every Nigerian,” the Defence Chief said.
He added that the Armed Forces had deployed all available resources to ensure the safe and unconditional return of the victims while urging Nigerians to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies during ongoing operations.
Responding to growing public speculation about the presence of terrorist enclaves in the South-West, the Defence Headquarters stated that intelligence reports do not support claims of any permanent insurgent structure operating within the forests or hinterlands of the region.
“Current intelligence assessments do not support the conclusion that any structured or permanent terrorist base exists within the forests or hinterlands of the South West region,” the statement said.
“Criminal elements, however audacious their recent activities, do not constitute an established insurgent presence, and the Defence Headquarters cautions against narratives that may cause unnecessary public panic or embolden adversaries by overstating their capabilities.”
The military revealed that troops had earlier carried out extensive clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park corridor, where criminal elements had previously operated, significantly degrading their activities in the area.
According to the Defence Headquarters, troops are currently engaged in active pursuit operations across forest corridors and ungoverned areas within the South-West in collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilantes and community members.
The military disclosed that troops recently made contact with the suspected kidnappers and have since regrouped to intensify search-and-rescue efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted 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.
