Military dismiss reports of terrorists base in South West

The Armed Forces of Nigeria has denied media reports claiming the terrorists have formed a base in the South West region.

There have been speculations that insurgents have formed a base in the South West. The speculation gained momentum following last Friday’s abduction of teachers and pupils from a school in Orire local government area of Oyo state. 

In a statement released by Director, Defence Media Operation, Michael Onoja, the Defence Headquarters while dismissing the claims, said last Friday’s incident was an isolated criminal act and does not reflect the existence of any entrenched terrorist structure in the region, as 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, and the Defence Headquarters cautions against narratives that may cause unnecessary public panic or embolden adversaries by overstating their capabilities.

The Defence Headquarters wishes to assure all Nigerians, particularly residents of the South West, that own troops are currently deployed and actively operating within the forest in pursuit of the perpetrators and in search of the abducted victims”

The statement adds that Troops made contact with the criminal elements two days ago, have since reorganized, and are continuing the search and pursuit operations with full determination. 

It mentioned that the armed forces while working in close coordination with relevant security agencies, is 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