•Major General Michael Onoja
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed claims that any terrorist group has established a permanent operational base in the South-West geopolitical zone of the country.
The clarification followed reports in some quarters alleging that terrorist groups had established operational bases in the region after the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, reports The Nation.
Recall that armed criminals, suspected to be terrorists, on Sunday abducted pupils from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle; and L.A. Primary School, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The DHQ disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja.
According to the military high command, “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.
“Criminal elements, however audacious their recent activities, do not constitute an established insurgent presence.”
It cautioned against narratives that may cause unnecessary public panic or embolden adversaries by overstating their capabilities.
The military high command also disclosed that troops had earlier conducted a comprehensive clearance operation in the Old Oyo National Park (OONP), effectively neutralising the operational capacity of criminal elements operating within the corridor.
It assured residents of the South-West and Nigerians that troops are actively operating within the forests in pursuit of the perpetrators and in search of the abducted victims.
According to the DHQ, troops made contact with the criminal elements two days ago and have since reorganised to sustain the search-and-rescue operation with renewed 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.
“The Armed Forces is equally engaging the local populace for human intelligence, recognising that community cooperation remains an invaluable asset in efforts to secure the safe and swift rescue of the abducted victims.
“The joint effort involving all security agencies and local vigilantes will ensure that the forests are thoroughly cleared of criminal elements and that lasting peace is restored to the region,” the statement added.
The DHQ expressed the condolences of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, to the families of the victims, as well as the government and people of Oyo State, over what it described as a deeply painful and unconscionable incident.
The DHQ further assured Nigerians that the Armed Forces would not relent until all abducted victims are rescued, the criminal networks responsible are dismantled, and normalcy is fully restored across the South-West and the country at large.
