The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has refuted reports suggesting the existence of a terrorist stronghold in the South-West, insisting that security operations currently underway are focused on rescuing abducted victims and eliminating criminal elements behind recent attacks.
The clarification was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the
Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja.
Onoja stated that the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi
Oluyede, had expressed sympathy to the government and people of Oyo State, as
well as families affected by the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in
Oriire Local Government Area.
He condemned the attack on the schools, describing the
abduction of innocent children and staff members as unacceptable and criminal.
According to him, the Armed Forces have deployed all
necessary resources and personnel to secure the safe and unconditional release
of the victims.
“The full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to
bear to ensure the safe return of all abducted victims,” he said.
The defence spokesman appealed to Nigerians to remain calm,
united and continue to support security agencies with useful and credible
intelligence.
Onoja disclosed that the military had previously carried out
extensive clearance operations within the Old Oyo National Park, where criminal
elements operating in the area were neutralised.
He maintained that intelligence available to security
agencies does not support claims that there is an organised terrorist base
operating within the South-West region.
“The incident in Oyo State remains an isolated criminal act
and does not indicate the presence of an entrenched insurgent structure in the
region.
“The Armed Forces caution against narratives capable of
creating unnecessary panic or emboldening criminal elements,” he stated.
He further revealed that troops had already established
contact with the abductors and were sustaining pursuit operations across forest
routes in a bid to rescue the victims.
According to him, joint security operations involving other
agencies and local vigilante groups are ongoing to flush out criminal elements
and restore normalcy in the affected communities.
Onoja stressed that cooperation from residents remained
vital to the success of the ongoing operations, noting that timely human
intelligence would greatly assist rescue efforts.
“The Armed Forces will not relent until all abducted victims
are rescued and those responsible are brought to justice,” he added.
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