DHQ attributed the kidnapping at the Oyo school to fleeing terrorists who were forced to flee as a result of military operations

The Defense Headquarters has attributed the recent wave of violence and kidnappings in some parts of Oyo State to fleeing members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorist group who were forced out of their former strongholds by the ongoing military offensive across the country.

Military authorities made the clarification on Thursday while responding to reports it described as false and misleading regarding comments allegedly made by the Defense Headquarters regarding the status of terrorists and criminal elements operating in the Southwest.

In a statement issued by the Director of Defense Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, DHQ stated that the assailants responsible for the kidnapping in Oyo State were not simple criminals but members of a recognized terrorist network who were forced to flee due to sustained pressure from security forces.

“The recent kidnapping incidents in Oyo State were clearly carried out by JAS Group terrorists who have been driven out of other parts of the country due to high intensity operations carried out across the board,” the statement read.

The military high command rejected the interpretation that it was trivializing the activities of armed groups in the Southwest by categorizing them as criminals.

“Therefore, it would be inaccurate and misleading to state that the Defense Headquarters, at some point, labeled violent and violent terrorists as criminals,” Onoja said.

According to DHQ, previous comments regarding security developments in the region were intended to provide clarity based on intelligence assessments and prevent misinformation that could cause unnecessary fear among citizens.

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The statement further stressed that the Armed Forces remain fully committed to defending Nigeria’s democratic institutions and supporting existing authorities across the country.

“Defence Headquarters has never undermined the authority of democratically elected leaders or sought to reduce the seriousness of heinous crimes committed against innocent citizens by terrorist elements,” the statement added.

The military also revealed that the army, in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders, is still conducting operations in affected communities with the aim of tracking and dismantling terrorist and criminal cells that threaten public safety.

“The Nigerian Armed Forces remain resolute in dismantling all criminal and terrorist networks that threaten the peace, stability and unity of the nation,” the statement said.

The clarification follows outrage over the deadly attack on a community in Oriire Local Government Area of ​​Oyo State, where heavily armed terrorists stormed the Community Secondary School, Ahoro-Esinle, kidnapping students, teachers and residents.

Several people reportedly lost their lives in the attack, while one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later confirmed dead after videos related to the incident emerged online.