The Defence Headquarters has rejected claims that a terrorist base exists in the South-West, saying military operations in the region are focused on rescuing abducted victims and eliminating criminal gangs.
Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, the Director of Defence Media Operations, made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja. He was responding to reports following recent abductions in Oyo State, where armed men attacked schools in Oriire Local Government Area and took students and staff.
Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, the Chief of Defence Staff, sent condolences to the Oyo State government, local communities, and families affected by the attacks. Onoja said the abduction of children and staff was reprehensible and that the Armed Forces were deploying all available resources to secure their safe return. "The full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe return of all abducted victims," he said.
Onoja disclosed that troops had already made contact with the attackers and were pursuing them across forest corridors. Joint operations involving other security agencies and local vigilante groups were ongoing to eliminate criminal elements and restore peace. He stressed that intelligence gathered so far does not show any established or structured terrorist base in the South-West. "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.
The military had earlier conducted a comprehensive clearance operation in the Old Oyo National Park, where it neutralised criminal elements. Onoja warned against spreading narratives that could trigger unnecessary panic or embolden criminals. He called on Nigerians to remain calm, stay united, and support security agencies by providing credible information. Community cooperation, he noted, was critical to the success of ongoing rescue efforts. "The Armed Forces will not relent until all abducted victims are rescued and those responsible are brought to justice," Onoja added.
