Breaking: Defence Headquarters Exposes Criminal Network Behind Oyo Abduction

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has stated that the recent abduction incident in Oyo State was carried out by terrorists displaced from other regions of the country following intensified military operations.

The military high command made this known on Thursday while responding to what it described as misleading and mischievous reports concerning its earlier comments on terrorist and criminal activities in Nigeria’s South-West region.

In a statement issued by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, the DHQ identified the attackers as members of the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorist group.

According to the statement, the group had been forced out of several strongholds in other parts of the country due to sustained military offensives. It added that the Oyo abduction was carried out by these displaced elements attempting to regroup in new locations.

The DHQ dismissed claims that it had described terrorists operating in the South-West as mere criminals, insisting that such interpretations were inaccurate and misleading.

Maj. Gen. Onoja clarified that at no point did the military refer to violent terrorist groups as ordinary criminals, stressing that its earlier comments were meant to provide intelligence-based context to security developments in the region.

He further explained that the clarification was necessary to prevent misinformation and to avoid unnecessary panic among residents of affected communities.

The Defence Headquarters also rejected suggestions that it had undermined any elected official or downplayed the seriousness of the attack, noting that its statements were strictly security-focused.

It reaffirmed that troops remain deployed across affected areas in collaboration with other security agencies and local stakeholders, with the aim of dismantling terrorist and criminal networks threatening national stability.

The military added that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to restoring peace, security, and unity across the country.

The clarification comes in the wake of attacks in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed assailants reportedly abducted pupils, teachers, and other residents from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, leaving several people dead.

One of the abducted teachers, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was later killed following the circulation of a video linked to the incident online.