- The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has attributed the recent deadly kidnapping in Oyo State to members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS)
- The Armed Forces stated that the attackers were displaced from other regions due to intensified military operations across the country
- The DHQ confirmed that troops are actively deployed in Oyo State and surrounding areas to track and dismantle terrorist and criminal cells
The Defence Headquarters has revealed that the recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State was carried out by members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorist group who were displaced from other parts of the country due to ongoing military offensives.
In a statement issued on Thursday, May 21, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, said the attackers responsible for the abduction in Oriire Local Government Area were terrorists forced out of their former strongholds by sustained operations conducted by the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
According to the statement, “The recent incidence of kidnapping in Oyo State was clearly perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS group that have been dislodged from other parts of the country due to high-intensity operations being conducted all over.”
The military authorities were reacting to reports alleging that the Defence Headquarters had described terrorists operating in the South-West as mere criminals.
The DHQ dismissed the claims, describing them as misleading and inaccurate.
“It is therefore inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters, at any point, referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals,” Onoja stated.
The military explained that its earlier comments regarding security concerns in the South-West were intended to provide context based on intelligence reports and prevent misinformation capable of causing panic among residents.
The DHQ also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding democratic institutions and supporting constitutional governance across the country.
“At no time did the Defence Headquarters undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader or seek to diminish the gravity of the heinous crime committed against innocent citizens by terrorist elements,” the statement added.
The Armed Forces further disclosed that troops have remained deployed in affected communities, working alongside other security agencies and local stakeholders to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks threatening national security.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remains resolute in dismantling all criminal and terrorist networks threatening the peace, stability and unity of the nation,” the DHQ said.
The clarification follows the recent attack on communities in Ahoro-Esinle, located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed men abducted pupils, teachers and residents from Community High School.
Several people reportedly lost their lives during the attack, while one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later confirmed dead after a video connected to the incident surfaced online.
YCE condemn Oyo school abductions, call for urgent South-West security action
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Yoruba Council of Elders condemned the coordinated abduction of pupils, students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The group called on the Federal Government to deploy security forces and intelligence resources to ensure the safe release of all abducted victims. It also urged South-West governors to strengthen regional security cooperation, empower Amotekun, and establish joint intelligence systems to prevent further attacks.