The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has ordered the deployment of special military forces and aerial surveillance equipment to Oyo State following the recent wave of kidnappings and attacks across parts of the state.
Drivetvnews gathered that the development was disclosed on Tuesday by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, during a briefing on the Armed Forces’ activities for May 2026.
According to Onoja, the military leadership sympathised with families affected by the attacks and assured residents that security agencies would intensify efforts to restore peace in the affected communities.
He explained that the Defence Headquarters had already commenced reinforced security operations in collaboration with state authorities, using advanced surveillance platforms and specialised ground troops to track down the perpetrators.
Onoja added that the ongoing operations had started generating useful intelligence and that troops would continue aggressive operations until those responsible for the kidnappings were arrested and security fully restored in the region.
The military also released its operational statistics for May, revealing that troops arrested 314 suspects, neutralised 118 terrorists, and rescued 221 kidnapped victims across different operations nationwide.
Authorities further disclosed that 18 terrorists surrendered during the period, while troops recovered 93 firearms, dismantled three illegal refining sites, and seized over 21,000 litres of petroleum products.
Although the Defence Headquarters described recent operational results as mixed, it noted improvements in arrests, civilian rescues, and the number of insurgents surrendering.
The CDS also commended military personnel for their dedication and professionalism while urging Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible intelligence.
The latest military action follows the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers from communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026. During the attack, a teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun was reportedly killed.
Security concerns in the state later intensified after gunmen abducted two workers of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan.
