The Defence Headquarters has blamed the recent kidnapping in Oyo State on suspected members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorist group who were displaced from other parts of the country by ongoing military operations.
The military high command made the clarification on Thursday while responding to reports it described as misleading interpretations of its earlier comments on security threats in the South-West.
In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, the DHQ said the attackers responsible for the abduction in Oyo were terrorists forced out of their former strongholds due to intensified military offensives nationwide.
According to the statement, “The recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State was clearly carried out by terrorists belonging to the JAS group who had been dislodged from other parts of the country because of sustained high-intensity military operations.”
The Defence Headquarters also rejected claims that it had classified terrorists operating in the South-West as mere criminals, insisting that such reports distorted its position.
Onoja stated that the military never referred to violent terrorist elements as ordinary criminals, adding that the earlier briefing was meant to provide intelligence-based clarification and prevent panic and misinformation among residents.
The DHQ further stressed that the Armed Forces remained committed to defending democracy, supporting constitutional governance, and protecting citizens across the country.
“At no time did the Defence Headquarters undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader or downplay the seriousness of the heinous crimes committed against innocent Nigerians,” the statement added.
The military also disclosed that troops were still actively deployed in affected areas alongside other security agencies and local stakeholders to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks threatening national security.
The clarification followed recent attacks in communities within Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed men abducted pupils, teachers, and residents from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle.
Several people were reportedly killed during the attack, while one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later confirmed dead after a video linked to the incident surfaced online.
