Military Dismisses Reports of Terrorist Base in South West
The Armed Forces of Nigeria has denied media reports suggesting that terrorists have established a base in the South West region. Speculation had intensified following the abduction of teachers and pupils from a school in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday.
In a statement released by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, the Defence Headquarters dismissed the claims, describing the incident as an isolated criminal act. The statement emphasized that it does not reflect the existence of any entrenched terrorist structure in the region. 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. Criminal elements, however audacious their recent activities, do not constitute an established insurgent presence,” the statement read. The Defence Headquarters cautioned against narratives that may cause unnecessary public panic or embolden adversaries by overstating their capabilities.
The Defence Headquarters 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. The statement added that troops made contact with the criminal elements two days ago, have since reorganized, and are continuing search and pursuit operations with full determination.
It mentioned that the armed forces, working in close coordination with relevant security agencies, are 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, 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. 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,” the statement further read.
