Nigeria’s military has said the recent mass abduction in Oyo State was carried out by terrorists displaced from other regions of the country following intensified counterinsurgency operations by security forces.
The Defence Headquarters made the assertion on Thursday as it pushed back against what it described as “mischievous and misleading publications” regarding comments attributed to military authorities on the nature of violent groups operating in the south-west.
In a statement signed by Maj Gen Michael Onoja, director of defence media operations, the military said the attackers responsible for the abduction in Oriire Local Government Area were members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), a faction historically linked to the Boko Haram insurgency.
“The recent incidence of kidnap in Oyo State was clearly perpetrated by terrorists of the JAS Group that have been dislodged from other parts of the country due to high-intensity operations being conducted all over,” the statement said.
The military denied reports suggesting it had characterised terrorists operating in the south-west as mere criminals, insisting such interpretations distorted its position.
“It is, therefore, inaccurate and misleading to suggest that the Defence Headquarters, at any point, referred to vicious and violent terrorists as criminals,” Onoja said.
According to the military, its earlier remarks on security developments in the region were intended to provide “intelligence-based context” aimed at countering misinformation and preventing panic among residents.
The Armed Forces also sought to reassure the public of its commitment to democratic governance and civilian authority.
“At no time did the Defence Headquarters undermine the authority of any democratically elected leader or seek to diminish the gravity of the heinous crime committed against innocent citizens by terrorist elements,” the statement added.
The military said troops remained deployed across affected areas in coordination with other security agencies and local stakeholders as part of efforts to dismantle armed groups threatening national security.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria remain resolute in dismantling all criminal and terrorist networks threatening the peace, stability, and unity of the nation,” the statement said.
The clarification followed attacks on communities in the Oriire Local Government Area, where armed men stormed Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, abducting pupils, teachers, and residents.
Several people were reportedly killed during the attacks. One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later confirmed dead after a video linked to the incident circulated online.
