May 19, (THEWILL) — The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed claims of the existence of a terrorist base in Nigeria’s South-West region, insisting that the recent attack on schools in Oyo State was an isolated criminal incident and not evidence of an entrenched insurgency.
The clarification came on Tuesday as the military intensified efforts to rescue abducted pupils and staff kidnapped during the attack in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
A statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed that the Armed Forces had already deployed significant resources to track down the perpetrators and secure the release of all victims.
Onoja disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, extended condolences to the government and people of Oyo State, as well as families affected by the attack.
Describing the abduction of innocent schoolchildren and staff as “reprehensible,” he assured Nigerians that troops were sustaining aggressive operations across forest corridors linked to the kidnappers.
“The full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe return of all abducted victims,” Onoja stated.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue to support security agencies with credible information capable of assisting ongoing rescue operations.
The defence spokesman also revealed that troops had earlier conducted extensive clearance operations within the Old Oyo National Park, neutralising criminal elements operating in the area.
According to him, available intelligence does not support reports suggesting that insurgents or terrorists had established a coordinated operational base anywhere in the South-West region.
“The incident in Oyo State remains an isolated criminal act and does not indicate the presence of an entrenched insurgent structure in the region,” he said.
Onoja warned against narratives capable of creating unnecessary panic among residents or emboldening criminal gangs operating within the country.
He further disclosed that troops had already made contact with the kidnappers and were sustaining pursuit operations in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups.
He added that coordinated security operations were ongoing to flush out criminal elements from forest hideouts and restore normalcy in affected communities.
The DHQ spokesman stressed that cooperation from local communities remained critical to the success of ongoing operations, particularly through the provision of actionable human intelligence.
“The Armed Forces will not relent until all abducted victims are rescued and those responsible are brought to justice,” he added.
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