Mass Abduction: DHQ Insists No Terrorist Base In South West

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied reports suggesting the establishment of a permanent terrorist base in the South West despite the abduction of school children in Oyo State.

The director Defence Media Operations Major General Michael Onoja in a statement yesterday described the Oyo State incident as a one off and cautioned against such narratives.

He condoled with the families of the victims, the government and people of Oyo State, and the entire nation over the painful and unconscionable attack on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School, all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to him, the Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede described the abduction of innocent children and staff as a callous and reprehensible act that strikes at the heart of every Nigerian.

Oluyede assured grieving families that the full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe and unconditional return of every abducted victim.

The Defence Chief further called on all Nigerians to remain calm, united, and cooperate with security forces during this critical period of operations.

He however, debunked recent media reports and public speculation suggesting that terrorist elements have established a permanent operational base within the South West geo-political zone of Nigeria, particularly following the attack in Oyo State.

“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, as the Armed Forces had earlier conducted a comprehensive clearance operation of the Old Oyo National Park (OONP), effectively neutralizing the operational capacity of criminal elements within that corridor.

“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,” he said.

He added that criminal elements, however audacious their recent activities, do not constitute an established insurgent presence, and the Defence Headquarters cautions against narratives that may cause unnecessary public panic or embolden adversaries by overstating their capabilities.

He therefore, assured all Nigerians, particularly residents of the South West, that troops are currently deployed and actively operating within the forest in pursuit of the perpetrators and in search of the abducted victims.

“Troops made contact with the criminal elements two days ago, have since reorganized, and are continuing the search and pursuit operations with full determination. Working in close coordination with relevant security agencies, the Armed Forces is conducting intensive joint operations across forest corridors and ungoverned spaces in the zone,” he added.

The Director said the Armed Forces were engaging the local populace for human intelligence, “recognizing that community cooperation remains an invaluable asset in the effort to recover the abducted victims safely and swiftly.

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,” he said.

He reassured that the Armed Forces of Nigeria will not relent until every abducted victim is safely recovered, the criminal networks responsible are dismantled, and normalcy is fully restored across the South West and indeed all of Nigeria.