DHQ vows full hunt for school attackers in Oyo, affirms no permanent terror base in South West
Army
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Defence Headquarters has expressed profound condolences to families and the people of Oyo State following the abduction of pupils and staff from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, and vowed to pursue the perpetrators until every victim is recovered.
The DHQ in a statement made available on Wednesday says, “The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, on behalf of the Armed Forces of Nigeria extends his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, the government and people of Oyo State, and the entire nation over the deeply painful and unconscionable attack on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele; and L.A. Primary School, all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.”
Describing the kidnappings as “a callous and reprehensible act that strikes at the heart of every Nigerian,” General Oluyede assured grieving families that “the full weight of the Armed Forces is being brought to bear to ensure the safe and unconditional return of every abducted victim,” and called on citizens to “remain calm, united, and cooperate with security forces during this critical period of operations.”
In a separate portion of the statement, the Defence Headquarters addressed circulating reports that terrorist groups had established a permanent base in the South West following the attack.
It said those claims were misleading, stressing that the incident was “an isolated criminal act and does not reflect the existence of any entrenched terrorist structure in the region.”
“It is pertinent to state that the incident was an isolated criminal act and does not reflect the existence of any entrenched terrorist structure in the region,” the statement said, adding that a previous clearance of Old Oyo National Park had “effectively neutralised the operational capacity of criminal elements within that corridor.”
The military said current intelligence “do not support the conclusion that any structured or permanent terrorist base exists within the forests or hinterlands of the South West region,” and warned against narratives that could “cause unnecessary public panic or embolden adversaries by overstating their capabilities.”
According to the Defence Headquarters, troops are deployed and operating in forested areas hunting the suspects.
“Troops made contact with the criminal elements two days ago, have since reorganised, and are continuing the search and pursuit operations with full determination,” the statement said.
The Armed Forces said it is working in close coordination with other security agencies and engaging local communities and vigilantes for human intelligence, saying the joint operations aim to “ensure that the forest is thoroughly cleared of criminal elements and that lasting peace is restored to the region.”
The statement concluded with a pledge, “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.”
