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The Defence Headquarters has dismissed claims that terrorists have established a permanent operational base in Nigeria’s South-West region following the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Drivetvnews gathered In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Brigadier General Michael Onoja, the military described the attack as an isolated criminal act rather than evidence of an entrenched terrorist presence in the region.
The Defence Headquarters expressed sympathy to the families of the abducted victims, the Oyo State Government and Nigerians, assuring that the Armed Forces were deploying full operational resources to secure the victims’ safe and unconditional release.
According to the statement, intelligence assessments do not support reports that terrorist groups have established structured bases within forests and hinterlands in the South-West.
The military noted that previous clearance operations had already weakened criminal elements operating around the Old Oyo National Park corridor, where the abductors reportedly took the victims.
The Defence Headquarters also warned against spreading narratives capable of causing panic or exaggerating the strength of criminal groups.
It disclosed that troops were currently carrying out coordinated search-and-rescue operations across forests and remote areas in collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilantes.
The military further revealed that troops had already made contact with the kidnappers earlier and had since intensified pursuit operations aimed at rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers.
Residents were urged to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful intelligence that could aid ongoing rescue efforts.
