Oyo abductions: No terrorist stronghold in South-West – DHQ 

The Defence Headquarters has dismissed reports suggesting that terrorist groups have established operational bases in Nigeria’s South-West region following the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo.

The military high command described the attack as an isolated criminal operation and cautioned against narratives capable of creating panic or exaggerating the strength of criminal groups operating in the region.

Public concern had intensified after armed men invaded schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and abducted dozens of pupils and staff members into nearby forests, sparking speculation about the possible presence of Boko Haram or ISWAP cells in the South-West.

Reacting to the development, Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, issued a statement on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, assuring Nigerians that there was no evidence of any entrenched terrorist network in the region.

“The incident was an isolated criminal act and does not reflect the existence of any entrenched terrorist structure in the region,” the statement said.

According to the Defence Headquarters, the Armed Forces had previously carried out extensive clearance operations within the Old Oyo National Park corridor, successfully weakening the activities of criminal elements operating in the area.

“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 military stated.

The DHQ stressed that although criminal groups had recently carried out daring attacks, such activities should not be mistaken for an organised insurgency presence.

The military also appealed to residents of the South-West to remain calm and continue supporting ongoing security operations.

General Oluyede, while sympathising with the families of the abducted victims, condemned the attack on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area.

He described the abduction of innocent pupils and school staff as “callous and reprehensible,” assuring affected families that troops were intensifying efforts to secure their safe rescue.

“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 added.

The DHQ disclosed that troops had already made contact with the kidnappers during operations inside the forest and had since reorganised to continue search-and-rescue missions.

It added that security forces were working closely with other agencies, local vigilantes and community members to gather intelligence and flush out criminal elements from forest corridors across the zone.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling all criminal networks involved in the abductions and restoring lasting peace across the South-West and other parts of the country.