DHQ dismisses claims of terrorist stronghold in South-West, vows rescue of abducted Oyo school children

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has dismissed claims that terrorist groups have established operational bases in the South-West, insisting that the recent abduction of pupils and staff in Oyo State was an isolated criminal incident rather than evidence of an entrenched insurgent presence in the region.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by Michael Onoja, Director of Defence Media Operations, the military said troops were actively pursuing the kidnappers responsible for the attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and had already engaged the assailants in the forest.

The statement, issued on behalf of Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff, also conveyed condolences to the families of victims abducted during the attack on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle; and L.A. Primary School.

Oluyede described the abduction of innocent schoolchildren and staff as “callous and reprehensible,” stressing that the Armed Forces was deploying all available resources to secure the victims’ unconditional release.

“The full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe and unconditional return of every abducted victim,” the statement said.

The Defence Headquarters urged Nigerians to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as rescue operations continue across forest corridors in the South-West.

The military’s clarification followed widespread public concern that armed terrorist factions may have established hideouts within forests in the South-West after the Oyo school attack.

However, the Defence Headquarters insisted that intelligence assessments did not support such conclusions.

According to the military, previous operations carried out in the Old Oyo National Park had already disrupted and neutralised the operational capacity of criminal groups previously active within the area.

“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 noted.

The Armed Forces further warned against narratives that could heighten fear among residents or exaggerate the strength of criminal elements operating in the region.

“Criminal elements, however audacious their recent activities, do not constitute an established insurgent presence,” the military stated, cautioning against “unnecessary public panic” that could embolden criminal actors.

The statement revealed that troops deployed to the affected forests had already made contact with the suspected kidnappers two days earlier and had since reorganised for sustained pursuit operations.

Security operations are currently being conducted jointly with other agencies and local vigilante groups to comb forests and ungoverned spaces believed to be harbouring the perpetrators.

The Defence Headquarters also disclosed that security agencies were intensifying collaboration with local communities to strengthen intelligence gathering efforts aimed at locating the abducted victims and dismantling criminal networks in the area.

“The joint effort with all security agencies and local vigilantes will ensure that the forest is thoroughly cleared of criminal elements and that lasting peace is restored to the region,” the statement added.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to restoring security not only in the South-West but across the country, pledging that operations would continue until all abducted persons are rescued and those behind the attacks are brought to justice.