The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed reports suggesting that terrorist groups have established operational bases in Nigeria’s South West, insisting that intelligence assessments do not support claims of an entrenched insurgent presence in the region.
In a statement signed by Major General Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, on Wednesday, the military described the recent abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as an isolated criminal act rather than evidence of an organised terrorist structure.
The statement followed the attack on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle; and L.A. Primary School in the area.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, expressed sympathy to the affected families, the government and people of Oyo State, assuring that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of all abducted victims.
He described the abduction as a “callous and reprehensible act” and pledged that security forces were fully committed to ensuring the safe return of the victims.
DHQ stated that earlier clearance operations in the Old Oyo National Park had degraded criminal activities in the area and maintained that there is currently no evidence of any permanent terrorist base in South West forests or hinterlands.
“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.
The military added that troops are currently conducting operations in the affected forest areas and had already made contact with the suspected abductors two days earlier.
According to DHQ, security personnel have since regrouped and are continuing search and pursuit operations in collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilantes and community members.
The military assured residents that joint operations would continue until the abducted victims are rescued and criminal networks operating in the area are dismantled.